How the Irish fare: Winning start for Sean Maguire at Preston

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.

It’s highly unlikely Preston will scorch the turf in similar fashion in this season’s Championship, but they got their campaign off to the perfect start on Saturday, beating Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 at Deepdale.

Maguire had been replaced by the time Preston scored the winner — a penalty from Daniel Johnston after 79 minutes — but manager Alex Neil was thrilled with the Kilkenny man’s debut effort.