HORGAN WINGS IN TO MAKE INSTANT IMPACT
DARYL Horgan admits he is shocked at the fast start he has made to his career at Deepdale – but he’s desperate to take every single opportunity with Preston North End.
After signing for the Lilywhites at the end of his contract with Irish champions Dundalk, 24-year-old winger Horgan was brought on for his Preston debut against Arsenal in the FA Cup this month.
He was surprised to be selected to start against Brighton the following week, but he provided an assist as his side inflicted a first defeat on the Championship high-flyers in 18 matches.
“When I came to being in the starting XI for the Brighton game I was excited but also shocked,” Horgan said. “I am always a bit nervous before games, but I think it is good.
“I was a little bit nervous, but I was thrilled as well and really looking forward to the game. It was a great opportunity for me and, as a team, we played really well and thoroughly deserved the 2-0 win.
“I probably wasn’t expecting to come straight in and be involved, but coming over the aim was to play right from the off.”
Dundalk won three League of Ireland titles during Horgan’s time at the club and reached the group stages of the Europa League earler this season.
The Galway-born wide man conceded it has been quite a change playing in the second tier of English football, compared to his Irish roots.
“It has been different. The gear all being laid out for you in the mornings, things like that, but it is something I am grasping very quickly,” he added.
“I am really enjoying the opportunity to be in fulltime football, especially at a big club like Preston, where you are not going to get this sort of opportunity every day.
“I want to grasp it with two hands.”