Dundalk midfielder Daryl Horgan is refusing to be distracted by speculation on his future ahead of the FAI Cup final.
Horgan’s form in Dundalk colours has not only led to an international call-up but has also caught the eye of several major cross channel clubs.
Representatives from Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Ipswich, Reading and Preston, along with three MLS clubs, are all understood to be in attendance at the Aviva Stadium to run the rule over Horgan this afternoon.
However, Horgan insists he is not concerned by who may be watching on from the stands and that he’s only focused on winning the cup with Dundalk.
“It’s obviously nice to be getting a bit of recognition every now and then but it’s not something that drives me,” he told RTÉ Sport.
“I want to win things and try and not let it affect my football because at the same time, the football is what’s getting the recognition, it’s not me as a person.
“People want to see me playing well and Dundalk playing well and if I get too sucked into it, the football will suffer and that’s the last thing I ever want to happen.”
Whatever comes of the current interest in Horgan, there’s no chance that the 24-year-old will be going on trial anywhere.
Horgan believes that both he and Dundalk have proved themselves time and again that that no player from the League of Ireland should ever accept that they have to prove themselves through a trial.
“In a sense it’s disappointing that people don’t consider the league high enough of a standard,” he said.
“There’d be no chance that a League One club would go play in the Europa League and compete the way we have.
“I’ve gone on trials but I don’t think I’d be ever going on trial again and I wouldn’t encourage young players to go on trial.
“When you’re playing in the League of Ireland, I don’t think it’s necessary.”
Regardless of whether Horgan does start next season with Dundalk or not, he acknowledged the influence that manager Stephen Kenny has had on his career, and the room that he’s allowed him to develop.
“It’s a progressive club, we don’t want to stand still,” the winger said. “Right throughout from the coaching staff to the manager and players, the board, everyone involved in the club has really pushed on and it’s been brilliant.
“The way Stephen speaks, the way he puts full faith in the players, [knowing that they] make mistakes and do the wrong thing, but he understands that it happens.
“We’re never perfect but he’d rather you get on the ball and give it away ten times that shirk away from it and hide away.
“That’s how he sets us up and he’s got his game-plans and his tactics down to a tee. “
