IT DIDN’T TAKE long for Sean Maguire to produce a firm statement of intent.

The Preston striker grabbed a debut goal just 20 minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute in a pre-season friendly against Burnley at Deepdale.

With 12 Irish players on show between both teams, it was the Kilkenny native who still managed to grab the spotlight.

The Clarets led 2-0 at the break (Kevin Long scored the second for Sean Dyche’s side) and the ex-Cork City man was given his chance, alongside fellow Rebel Army alumnus Kevin O’Connor.

And on 66 minutes, Maguire stepped up and delivered.

It was another Irish striker who’s out to prove himself at Preston this term – Eoin Doyle – who set him up by brilliantly challenging Steven Defour in the middle of the park before Maguire took possession and raced clear.

Doyle ran alongside and gave Maguire an angle for a through-ball but the new signing had only one thing in mind.

He pushed the ball to his right, evaded two challenges and calmly drove a low strike to the bottom corner.

Preston failed to grab a second and succumbed to their first defeat of pre-season, though Maguire won’t exactly be worrying about that.

He’s already up and running and making some noise.

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