Seani Maguire has departed Preston North End after a five-and-a-half-year spell which saw him score 24 goals in 170 appearances for The Lilywhites.
The Irishman has joined Coventry City on a deal until the end of the season. The 28-year-old’s contract at Preston was due to expire at the end of the season and after being on the sidelines for the majority of this season and the last it was always unlikely that his stay at Deepdale wouldn’t be extended.
Maguire hit the ground running in 2017 when he joined from Cork City and scored 10 league goals in his first season in just 19 starts. Even that season was interrupted by injury but he made a triumphant return from his lay-off when he scored two goals off the bench on Gentry day away to Bolton Wanderers.
There were moments in his first season when he looked like the missing piece in the jigsaw, and he complimented the other forwards so well. Alongside Jordan Hugill, Callum Robinson and Tom Barkhuizen, Preston were a force to be reckoned with under Alex Neil.
Unfortunately Maguire’s injuries were far too frequent. He lost a yard of pace which was crucial to his game, and he also lost his scoring touch. He was used as an effective substitute to help run down games, and as a foil for other strikers. He scored just 12 league goals in his last four-and-a-half seasons at the club, with his last one coming in November 2021.
There was never any doubting his effort and commitment to the club, and I’m sure Preston fans will like to see him do well at Coventry. The fact he has got himself a move to another Championship club shows he is respected at this level.
It was not just the fans who appreciated Maguire, but also his Preston teammates old and current, and many took to Instagram to wish him well on his new adventure.
John Welsh, Neil Mellor, Paul Huntington and Scott Sinclair were just some of his former teammates to wish him well. Huntington commented ‘One of the good guys’, whilst Welsh said’ Good luck my mate’.
Current backup goalkeeper David Cornell said ‘Will be missed little man’, and Manchester United loanee Alvaro Fernandez said ‘All the best Seani’.
A well liked player by teammates and fans, I am sure Maguire will receive a great reception if and when he returns with Coventry later on this season, Our game with them is set to be rescheduled as it was initially meant for Saturday before the FA Cup fourth round game was drawn.