Like he'd never even left.
On Saturday, Sean Maguire made his first appearance in the Championship after four months on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
The Republic of Ireland international had not played in England's second tier since Preston's 2-0 loss to Aston Villa at the start of November, but he picked up from exactly where he left off, scoring twice after coming off the bench as a second-half substitute in Preston's clash with local rivals Bolton Wanderers.
Maguire was at it again on Tuesday night. The former Cork City front man was introduced to the action after 65 minutes of play in the Lilywhites' clash with Bristol City.
The scores were tied upon his introduction. He wasn't long making his presence felt.
Five minutes later and the Bristol net was rattling after an excellent goal by the 23-year-old. That would prove to be the match winner.
The Robins defenders committed a rookie mistake against a centre forward of Maguire's pace and guile with their high line, and after a ball went in over the top of their central defenders, Maguire had them beaten for pace before turning them inside out and finishing capably past their goalkeeper.
https://twitter.com/ChrisPitcher/status/971132384170205184
Acceleration, speed, ball control, balance, composure. Maguire showed every one of them attributes on his way to his sixth goal for his new club.
Remarkably, half of those goals have come in his last 60 minutes on the field. The break seems to have done him good, and he looks revitalised and as fit as ever.
Maguire wasn't the only Ireland player on form in the championship.
Another former Cork City player, in Alan Browne had opened the scoring for Preston in their 2-1 win.
https://twitter.com/ChrisPitcher/status/971116017509335041
Meanwhile, Conor Hourihane netted a deflected effort for Aston Villa in their 3-0 away win over Sunderland. Scott Hogan and Glenn Whelan also lined out for Steve Bruce's side in their victory.
