Sean Maguire’s Preston North End career got off to an absolute flier.
The SSE Airtricity League Premier Division top scorer made his first appearance for The Lilywhites in a preseason friendly against Burnley.
The pitch was greener than usual as a plethora of Irish talent lined up for both sides.
Preston gave starts to Daryl Horgan, Andy Boyle and Eoin Doyle while Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne, Maguire and his former Cork City clubmate Kevin O’Connor all started on the bench. Jon Walters, Robbie Brady and Kevin Long all made Burnley’s starting XI while Jeff Hendrick and Stephen Ward were named as substitutes.
The Irish were firing on all cylinders from the get-go with Walters and Long firing Burnley a 2-0 lead.
Maguire was introduced into the game as a second half substitute. 20 minutes after being brought on, he got his name on the scoresheet with a marvellous solo effort.
He took possession of the ball just inside the opposition half and started sprinting up the pitch like Forrest Gump before cutting inside the box and delicately sliding the ball into the bottom corner of the net past the goalkeeper.
Boom @Seani_Maguire_ #pnefc pic.twitter.com/rnOmERGwpk
— 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗞𝗲𝘆 (@CKey9) July 25, 2017
