'It was an absolute sidewinder' - John Egan delighted with first Hull City goal

Cork's John Egan was thrilled to get his first Hull City goal, stabbing home what he jokingly branded a ‘sidewinder’ to rescue a late 2-2 draw at Swansea City on Saturday.

The Corkman joined the Tigers in February on an 18-month contract. 

Defending is his core duty but as shown for Ireland, whom he headed into the lead against Portugal in 2021, the 32-year-old is a threat in the opposition box too.

Egan played 18 times in the second half of last season after joining from Burnley and, in this first full campaign with the Championship club, has established himself as a mainstay.

A serious foot injury explains in a large part why the last of his 36 caps came 18 months ago.

Given Ireland’s defensive calamities in the opening pair of World Cup qualifiers that yielded one point from six against Hungary and Armenia, further games could result in a recall.

“I'm delighted now to get my first goal for the club,” said Egan.

“I came close last year a couple of times and it is something that I think I need to add to my game.

“Since I've been here, I've tried to be more of a threat, so I'm delighted to score."

Although the club's social media account referred to his late goal against the side managed by Athlone native Alan Sheehan as a 'bundled finish', he wasn’t having that.

"It was an absolute sidewinder off the shin in the corner," he told the Hull Daily Mail with a smile.

"I didn't know they said that but that's very harsh. I put a bit of swaz on it into the corner on purpose.

"The lads were giving me a bit of grief and I just said, 'Lads, sometimes you need to put a bit of swaz on it.'” 

Five points from their opening five games constitutes a middling start but others, such as his former club Sheffield United and newly promoted Wrexham, trail behind in the early standings.

On their last visit to Swansea in April, a dubious penalty decision cost them a result.

"We got robbed then,” Egan recalled.

“Then this time we score the last-minute equaliser. It's football and things happen. I'm just happy we got a point."