SEAN MAGUIRE HAS described his move from Cork City to Preston North End as a ‘no-brainer’ and he’s pinpointed making an instant step-up to the Republic of Ireland senior side once he’s completed his switch to Deepdale.
Speaking to the club’s website, the prolific striker said having quite a few compatriots in the Preston dressing-room did influence his decision somewhat.
“It’s a no brainer really for me, obviously having the Irish fellas over there in Preston already it’s a big help for me and will help me settle in and I really can’t wait to get going.
Maguire joins a strong Irish contingent with Greg Cunningham, Eoin Doyle and Alan Browne also part of the playing staff.
“It’s crazy how many Irish players there are at the club so it will be a big help to have some familiar faces around when I go into a dressing room where I don’t really know my surroundings and with a group of players I’m not familiar with,” he said.
There are a couple of Irish lads that I’ve never met before and then there’s Alan Browne who I have been good mates with for a couple of years now. I’ve been in a couple of Irish squads with him and so it’s great and it will really help me settle in.
It’s not just the Irish connection that helped Maguire with his decision, however.
The 23-year-old had a loan spell with Accrington Stanley during the 2014/2015 season and scored seven times in 33 league appearances. Occasionally, he went to watch near-neighbours Preston in action.
“I’ve actually been to a couple of game at Deepdale and seeing how good the atmosphere is at the stadium when there is a big game, the fans are very passionate and that really helps the players and it’s always nice to have the incredible fans there to push the players so that was another reason.”
He has promised the Preston faithful two things: goals and hard work.
“I bring goals, that’s shown by my record over the last couple of seasons,” he said.
I’m more of a poacher, I score a lot of goals inside of the box, I’ve only scored a few outside the box. I’m a hard worker, I’m a grafter, for a small fella I can actually jump pretty high and I win a lot of headers, so that adds to the problem for defenders and I will always work hard for my teammates.
Maguire doesn’t officially join Preston until the end of July and there is quite a bit of football in between.
As well as Cork City’s domestic obligations, they will also be involved in Europa League qualifiers next month.
But, their departing attacker says he won’t lose focus – pointing to his ability to cope with the recent media attention linking him with a move away.
“There has been a lot of talk over the last couple of months with a lot of interest from England but I haven’t let it affect my game and I won’t let it affect my game over the next couple of months.
“I will be giving 100 per cent to Cork City and hopefully I can leave the club in a really strong position in the league. There are a couple of games in the Europa League as well so I will be aiming to do well for Cork in that time and then arrive at the club in good shape and good goalscoring form.”
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