Republic of Ireland striker Sean Maguire has hit out at 'bandwagon fans' of League of Ireland clubs who only attend high profile friendlies against English sides.
The current Preston forward can count Waterford United, Sligo Rovers and Cork City among his former sides and admits it is a problem that has blighted Irish sides for a number of years.
He still follows the Irish domestic football scene and drew attention to the attendance at St Pats’ recent friendly against Newcastle United as a case in point.
The Inchicore outfit packed the ground out for that fixture, but only 1,600 were there to see the next league game against Limerick.
Frustrating
Maguire said: “ It’s very frustrating. I think there were 5000 at the Newcastle St Pats game.
“It’s disappointing where week in week out St Pats are probably only getting 1500 and then once the pre season friendlies come about, the big Premier League clubs come over and it’s different.
“It’s probably bandwagon supporters who come out and support the Premier League teams.
“It’s disappointing, but it has been part and parcel of League of Ireland football for the last couple of years. Hopefully that can change.”
Maguire was back in Ireland with club and international teammate Graham Burke as the pair faced Cobh Rambers at Turners Cross, in a game that Preston won 5-0.
You can hear the full SSE Airtricity League official podcast here.
