SEAN THE ROOKIE DRAGON SLAYER

SEAN MAGUIRE wants to be a Dragon slayer and insists he can deal with the pressure of tonight’s mouthwatering showdown in Cardiff.

The Preston North End striker made his Ireland debut off the bench in Friday’s 2-0 win over Moldova in Dublin.

“Hopefully this is the start of something big,” said the Republic rookie ahead of the must-win clash with Wales.

The former Cork City forward was a prolific scorer in the League of Ireland and national team boss Martin O’Neill has already been won over by the 23-year-old, who could yet be an ace up the sleeve in Cardiff.

“I’ve got my first taste for it and I’m looking forward to Wales,” said Maguire (left).

“When I was coming on the other night, the manager told me to go enjoy myself. He said I had earned the cap and to go do my thing.

“That’s exactly what Shane Long told me as well when we has coming off the pitch. I just tried to stay focused.”

Maguire added: “The last time I was at Aviva Stadium, I scored the winner for Cork City in the FAI Cup final. I could never have imagined that a year later I’d be back making my international debut.

“It was an incredible feeling to finally get out there. Hopefully it’s the start of many caps.”