Adam O'Reilly has joined St Patrick's Athletic from Preston North End on loan for the rest of the season.

The 20-year-old has previously spent time with Bamber Bridge, Stalybridge Celtic and Waterford away from Deepdale, but with his contract expiring at the end of next season he needs to start impressing if Ryan Lowe is to consider O'Reilly in his future plans.

The former Republic of Ireland U19 international has made just one senior appearance for the Lilywhites as a late substitute against Aston Villa in December 2018.

St Patrick's Athletic have strengthened their ranks with Eoin Doyle from Bolton Wanderers this month, and will be in the qualification competition for a place in the Europa Conference League next term.

O'Reilly's new club do not have a competitive match until mid February meaning there will be ample time for him to settle into his new surroundings.

The level of the League of Ireland is not very strong compared to that of the Championship and in that this feels like the beginning of the end of O'Reilly's time at Preston.

Ryan Lowe's appointment would have provided a fresh slate for the Irishman but with him cast aside on loan for the second half of the season, it seems very unlikely that O'Reilly will be able to force his way into the first team plans at Deepdale for next season.

The Verdict

 

 

If it is a return to the Republic of Ireland that O'Reilly desires at the conclusion of his time at Preston, then this is certainly a positive move in realising that.

The 20-year-old will be expecting regular game time when the new League of Ireland campaign begins and that will give him the platform to demonstrate his capabilities.

There does not seem to be a lot of scope for Lowe to bring players in this month, and with a lot of recent absentees at the club due to coronavirus, if O'Reilly had a small chance of being involved in the first team, he would not have been allowed to go on loan.

That tells you all you need to know about where O'Reilly ranks in the squad depth chart at Deepdale.

However, at 20, there is still plenty of time for development with O'Reilly and we may well see him use this loan move as a springboard to kickstart his senior career.