What a cameo.
Irish supporters have been excited about Daryl Horgan for a while now.
And for good reason.
Ever since he was performing incredibly well for Dundalk on the European stage in the Europa League there has been a huge clamour for Martin O’Neill to give the exciting winger his opportunity in a green shirt.
Horgan has so far had to be content with remaining on the bench in Ireland’s last few fixtures but thankfully tonight the Galway man finally made his international debut.
And it didn’t take long for him to impress.
What a moment for Daryl Horgan pic.twitter.com/etwCpykrVk
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 28, 2017
Horgan caused havoc down the left-hand side of the pitch and he proved to be a real handful for the Icelandic defence.
He got past his man on numerous occasions and most importantly, supplied excellent crosses into the box with both feet.
Daryl Horgan not taking long at all to settle into international football! #COYBIG https://t.co/L4RxE95P0X
— eir Sport (@eirSport) March 28, 2017
Horgan definitely made an impression as fans were quick to outline their admiration for the Preston North End winger on social media.
So good seeing Daryl Horgan coming on & giving Ireland something going forward! #IREvICE
— Ciarán Fox (@djciaranfox) March 28, 2017
I'm thinking, barring injury,Horgan starts for the next qualifier! #IREvICE
— Killian Murphy (@NotTheActor) March 28, 2017
Daryl Horgan could end up getting man of the match here #IREvICE
— Alan Kinsella (@electionlit) March 28, 2017
Horgan already our most dangerous player all match long #IREvICE
— Oisín Tormey (@DatTormeyFela) March 28, 2017
Horgan looks the business sense coming on #IREvICE #COYBIG
— Denis O'Donovan (@odonovandenism) March 28, 2017
https://twitter.com/BDawgTweets/status/846820050845794304
And it wasn’t just Horgan who impressed, Callum O’Dowda and Eunan O’Kane also came in for some praise.
https://twitter.com/georgia98hannon/status/846819035362807810
O'Dowda is definitely one for the future..very direct and positive player 🇮🇪🍀 #COYBIG #IREvICE
— Gav Flaherty 🇮🇪 (@Gavinflaherty11) March 28, 2017
Eunan O'Kane has been very, very good since he came on, as has Horgan #COYBIG
— Andrew Lowth (@AndrewLowth1) March 28, 2017
A loss but not the point. Boyle, Hourihane, Horgan and Egan all debuting. Good to see Gleeson appearing. O'Kane impressive. #coybig
— Liam Tunney ✍️ (@ismiseliam) March 28, 2017
Horgan won out in our player ratings and it’s not hard to see why.
If he can have a strong end to the season for Preston then we may well see him feature at home to Austria in June.
