Martin O’Neill has reassured Cork City striker Sean Maguire that he will be considered for international duty even if the doesn’t leave Ireland.
Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill
Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has told RTE that Cork City striker Sean Maguire doesn’t have to move on in order to play international football.
Maguire, 23, came through the ranks with Waterford United before joining West Ham United in 2013, but he was released in 2015 without playing a game for the Hammers.
The striker headed back to Ireland with Dundalk, but has really exploded since joining Cork City in late 2015, hitting 28 goals in 43 games last season.
This term, Maguire has scored in every single league game for Cork, notching 11 goals in just nine appearances to take Irish football by storm – and unsurprisingly attract interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Irish Sun not only reported last month that Preston are keen to sign Maguire in a deal worth just €150,000 (£125,000), but also claimed that Celtic have been watching him ahead of a possible summer move.
Exeter City’s Danny Butterfield and Sean Maguire in action
Maguire’s exploits and low release clause have left Cork vulnerable to losing their star player, and he may feel that he needs a move away in order to boost his chances of a Republic of Ireland call up.
Now-Preston duo Andy Boyle and Daryl Horgan earned call-ups during their time with Dundalk last year, and Republic of Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has told RTE that he will consider Maguire even if he stays in Ireland.
Qatar’s Salem All Al Hajri in action with Ireland’s Sean Maguire
The former Celtic manager praised Maguire, saying he has ‘done very, very well’ with Cork City, but wants the striker to know that he will be considered for international selection as long as he keeps scoring – but deep down, a move to a Preston or Celtic could exponentially improve his odds of a call-up.
“Of course I’d consider him,” said O’Neill. “I have plucked players from the League of Ireland, and I’m not averse to that at all – absolutely not. I’ll have a look at it. The young lad’s done very, very well. I saw quite a few games last season; not so much this season I must admit, when he’s doing well.”
“But it’s pretty easy for me to get the games now. In terms of bringing someone in, again, I’m not averse to that. I want them to feel as if they’ve earned that right,” he added.
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