Preston midfielder Adam O’Reilly seems to have made a huge impact in Ireland, but he’s now heading back to Lancashire.
O’Reilly has been on a similar path to Alan Browne; born in Cork and emerging at Ringmahon Rangers before heading to Preston, O’Reilly has understandably earned comparisons to his fellow midfielder.
The biggest difference is that Brown was playing in Preston’s first team at 19, whereas 20-year-old O’Reilly has yet to make a senior appearance for North End.
O’Reilly is now in his third loan spell away from Preston. After stints at Hyde United and Stalybridge Celtic, O’Reilly was sent back to Ireland with Waterford in February.
With two assists in 16 games, O’Reilly has enjoyed first-team football over in Ireland and has played in a number of midfield roles during his time with Waterford.
Former Millwall and QPR ace Marc Bircham is in charge of the League of Ireland club, and he has waxed lyrical about the Preston talent.
Bircham has confirmed that O’Reilly’s loan deal has expired, and the midfielder is now coming back to Deepdale for pre-season.
Bircham hailed O’Reilly as ‘brilliant’, ‘exceptional’ and ‘terrific’, raving about his performances whilst also saying goodbye.
O’Reilly has posted his own farewell message to Waterford, and may now feel that he has a real chance to kick on at Preston with Paul Gallagher retired and Jayson Molumby gone.