LAST UPDATE | 26 Jan 2023
BRIGHTON HAVE SIGNED Irish teenager Mark O’Mahony from Cork City following a successful trial.
The 18-year-old striker has agreed a contract until June 2025, subject to international clearance, and will initially join the Under-21 side.
O’Mahony was named Ireland’s Under-17 player of the year in 2022 and has also represented his country at U18 and U19 level.
He joins compatriots Evan Ferguson, Andrew Moran and James Furlong in Sussex.
“I got to know the club and the coaches well during my trial and I knew early on that I wanted to sign here,” O’Mahony told Albion’s website.
“Brighton’s academy is one of the best in the country, especially with the way young players are given an opportunity and a pathway.
Cork City FC can confirm that Mark O’Mahony has joined English Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion for an undisclosed fee.
— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) January 26, 2023
All the best, Mark!
Full story 👇🏼https://t.co/E98o6OgQar#CCFC84 pic.twitter.com/xR0FHe4fSK
“I spoke to a few of the Irish boys in the group about what the club is like and they all spoke really highly of what’s in place here, so it was an easy decision.”
Elsewhere, Sean Maguire, a predecessor of O’Mahony’s at Cork City, has left Preston North End to join Coventry City on a contract until the end of this season.
28-year-old, who has 12 caps for Ireland, joined Preston from Cork City in 2017 and made 170 appearances for North End, although he failed to score in any of his 10 league matches this season.
He spent 18 months at West Ham earlier in his career but did not make a first-team appearance and, after loan spells with Sligo and Accrington, moved to Dundalk in 2015.
Mark Robins’ Coventry are 15th in the Championship having won just once in eight league games since the World Cup, and were beaten 4-2 at home by Norwich in their last match.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Sean to Coventry City,” said Robins. “He is an experienced striker at this level, who has a number of qualities that will help us between now and the end of the season.
“He can hold up the ball well and is adept at bringing others into play. He will provide a very good option for us in the forward area, and we look forward to working with him.”
Irish defender Luke McNally has also joined on loan from Championship leaders Burnley until the end of the season.
The 23-year-old signed from Oxford during the summer and has made four appearances for Vincent Kompany’s side.
“We’re very pleased to welcome Luke to Coventry City,” said Robins. “He is a very talented footballer, who is strong defensively.
“He’s big and athletic, and strong in the air, and is a very good addition to our squad.”
🤝 Welcome, Luke!
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) January 26, 2023
The @BurnleyOfficial defender has joined the Sky Blues on loan until the end of the season.#PUSB
McNally had made 35 appearances for Oxford United, scoring 4 goals, having joined them from St Patrick’s Athletic in January 2021.
The 6 foot 4 centre half also played for Drogheda United on a season-long loan, scoring six times in 27 appearances during the 2019/20 season.
Updated at 17.10 with details of Maguire transfer
