It’s Thursday afternoon when I reach him on the phone, and Sean Maguire, just “chilling out” on a last day of rest before starting to climb the Championship mountain with Preston North End again, is reflecting on how Deepdale is no longer such a deep shade of green.

The Preston North End squad have enjoyed a game of hurling as their pre-season camp continues in Cork.

Preston boss Alex Neil saluted the quality of forwards Callum Robinson and Lukas Nmecha after they tore already-relegated Ipswich apart in a 4-0 hammering at Deepdale.

A glance at the opposition dug-out at Deepdale will send Sean Maguire’s thoughts back to Turner’s Cross and turn him into a star-struck schoolkid, momentarily at least, when he continues his return to fitness with Championship side Preston this afternoon.

The encouraging phone calls from Mick McCarthy helped, as did the support of his fellow Irishmen in the Deepdale dressing room and the countless monotonous, gruelling hours he has spent in the gym.

Saturday was a landmark day for Adam O’Reilly as the 17-year-old from Mahon in Cork city made his Preston debut in the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

His manager Alex Neil has blamed the injury on his workload with Ireland during the international break.

“There’s only two speeds with me, either walking or sprinting,” says Sean Maguire with a smile.

With the Nations League double-header against Denmark and Wales looming, Callum Robinson fired a reminder of his talents to Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill when scoring twice as Preston moved off the foot of the Championship table after a 4-0 win over Wigan.

The latest chapter in Daryl Horgan’s career as a professional footballer began with a run off the bench for Neil Lennon’s Hibernian in their 1-1 draw away to St Johnstone in Perth last weekend.

Ireland’s latest League of Ireland export, Graham Burke, insists international aspirations didn’t prompt his decision to join Preston North End.

Preston remain right in the thick of a battle for a play-off place in the Championship.

Republic of Ireland and former Cork City striker Sean Maguire was relieved to turn tears to cheers after his dramatic return to action with a brace in Preston’s 3-1 Championship win at Bolton.

Republic of Ireland defender Andy Boyle is set to join Doncaster Rovers on loan.

Alex Neil did not hold back from criticising his players as Preston lost ground on the Championship play-off places following a draw with Birmingham.

Alan Browne ended four months of frustration in front of goal by scoring a superb volley as Preston marched into the fourth round of the FA Cup by hammering Wycombe Wanderers 5-1 on Saturday.

Darren Norris looks at how the Irish in England got on this weekend.

Sean Maguire has allayed fears that the hamstring problem he incurred at the weekend could potentially keep him out of contention for Ireland's World Cup play-off against Denmark.

Sean Maguire’s tantalising taste of international football has left him ravenous for more.

With the changing of the Preston managerial guard which has seen Alex Neil replace Simon Grayson, game time at Deepdale has proved harder to come by for Daryl Horgan this season.

New surroundings, same narrative. Sean Maguire has got used to that winning feeling this year; his goals ensuring Cork City have turned this season’s Airtricity League Premier Division title race into a procession.

As he prepares for the Championship kick-off on Saturday with Preston, Sean Maguire says that Cork City turned him into the striker he is today

Sean Maguire, who scored an eye-catching solo goal on his debut for Preston in a friendly against Burnley on Wednesday night, has expressed delight that he was able to take up at Deepdale where he left off at Turner’s Cross.

Cork City’s Euro dream is very much in the balance after they suffered a first defeat in 26 matches losing out to AEK Larnaca in a tense and highly competitive Europa League qualifier at Turner’s Cross last night, writes Noel Spillane.

Preston North End put on a show of support for Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor at Turner’s Cross last night, but new manager Alex Neil insists there is no special need to reassure the departing Cork City stars they are still wanted by his new regime.

A second-half goal from Joan Truyois saw AEK Larnaca take control of this Uefa Europa League second qualifying round tie as they defeated a gallant Cork City in front of a packed Turner’s Cross last night.

Since he arrived at Cork City, Kevin O’Connor has strived to live up to these goals.

John Caulfield is a passionate figure on the sidelines at Turner’s Cross but he’ll be hoping Cork City can afford him an opportunity to relax tonight, if only to give his heart a break.

Alan Pardew is in the frame to become Norwich's new manager.

UK legislation to remove Britain from the European Union should not proceed, according to Scottish politicians.

Norwich manager Alex Neil maintains that Robbie Brady is not on the brink of leaving Carrow Road even though he concedes that the Irish international is a £10m target for a number of Premier League clubs.

Leicester City are confident the lure of Champions League football will be sufficient to beat off competition from Crystal Palace for the signing of Ireland star Robbie Brady this month.

A year that featured the glorious high of scoring Ireland’s winner against Italy in Lille ended in frustrating fashion for Robbie Brady as the Dubliner was sent off in Norwich City’s 0-0 Championship draw at Brentford on Saturday.

Reading maintained their automatic promotion push in the Sky Bet Championship and piled more pressure on Alex Neil with a 3-1 victory over Norwich.

Wes Hoolahan picked up where he left off on Saturday, following up a brilliant display in Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova with another superb showing as Norwich beat Rotherham 3-1 to go top of the Championship table.

Aiden McGeady began the latest chapter of his career by scoring on his Preston debut on Saturday but his fine strike from 25 yards wasn’t enough to earn his new employers anything in their Championship clash with Barnsley.

David Moyes has confirmed he wants to take his former Manchester United players Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj to Sunderland.

Norwich 0 Manchester United 1: Juan Mata insists Wayne Rooney is ready to spearhead Manchester United’s attack for the final two games of their Premier League campaign as they continue to chase a top four finish.