At the beginning of December, Daryl Horgan was lining out for Dundalk FC against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League.
Less than a month later, he came off the bench to make his Preston North End debut against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round.
It's been a crazy few months for the Galway man, who was part of the first Irish team to reach the Champions League play-offs and the first team from this little island to win a group game in a major European competition. The Lilywhites also lifted their third Airtricity League trophy in a row last year.
His phenomenal form for Dundalk earned him a transfer to Preston North End, where he joined compatriots Andy Boyle, who also made the switch from Dundalk, Aiden McGeady, Eoin Doyle, Alan Browne and fellow Galwegian Greg Cunningham.
McGeady certainly stole the show among the Irish contingent against Arsenal with his
dizzying footwork leaving Aaron Ramsey for dead, but Horgan's entry into the game with 10 minutes on the clock had the Irish eyes watching feeling extreme levels of pride. Although Ramsey and Olivier Giroud sealed the 2-1 win for Arsenal and safe passage to the next round, fans were impressed with what Horgan showed in his brief cameo.
Horgan had a few nice touches and sent some inviting crosses into the Arsenal box, but what was really noteworthy about his showing was just how at home he looked at that level.
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