With the young exciting strikers that have been included in Stephen Kenny's first Ireland squad, the absence of Sean Maguire has been largely ignored.
The Preston forward has been a fixture in Ireland squads over the last few years, although he has never quite managed to establish himself as a first choice player. Having scored his first international goal in the friendly against New Zealand last November, he would have hoped to kick on under the new manager.
However, his club form over the last 12 months has been disappointing. Maguire managed only five goals in the Championship last season, a tally that he will be looking to vastly improve during the upcoming campaign.
He got off to an excellent start this afternoon. The Kilkenny native was included in the Preston side to take on Mansfield Town in the first round of the League Cup, grabbing his first goal of the campaign with a fine finish.
Alan Browne would also start in the unfamiliar position of right back, with Preston running out comfortable 4-0 winners to secure their place in the second round.
Maguire will be hoping he can use this goal to kick on for the rest of the season, with regaining his place in the Ireland squad no doubt high up on his list of priorities.
