SEAN MAGUIRE WILL make his competitive debut for Preston North End this afternoon as the Championship side welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Deepdale for the season opener.
The 23-year-old striker has already made a big impression since arriving from Cork City last month and has been named in Alex Neil’s first starting XI of the campaign.
Ireland internationals Alan Browne and Greg Cunningham are also included in the Preston side, while Daryl Horgan is among the replacements for Neil’s first league game in charge.
There is further Irish interest in the away dressing room with Keiren Westwood beginning his fourth season between the posts for Sheffield Wednesday.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend of the EFL season, Darren Randolph and Cyrus Christie make their competitive debuts for Middlesbrough against Wolves after arriving from West Ham and Derby over the summer.
Irish defender Matt Doherty is included in the Wolves team for that clash at Molineux while Wes Hoolahan has to settle for a place on the Norwich bench for their trip to Fulham.
Meanwhile, Enda Stevens has slotted straight into the Sheffield United defence after his switch from Portsmouth as the Blades return to the second tier against Brentford, who have John Egan in their side.
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