Cork striker Mark O’Mahony joins Portsmouth on loan from Brighton

A day after scoring his first goal for Brighton & Hove Albion, Mark O’Mahony has joined Portsmouth on a season-long loan.

The striker moves to Fratton Park after helping his side defeat Cawley Town in the second round of the EFL Cup.

This is the next step in the develop of a forward that first made his name known with Carrigaline United and Cork City.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho told the club’s media team that he is thrilled with the latest addition to his squad.

“Mark has been involved for Brighton during pre-season, as well as featuring the other night,” he said.

“It was brilliant for him to get those minutes and make such a strong contribution, while everyone there speaks incredibly highly of him.

He’s a striker who can hold the ball up well and link play, while also getting in the box to score goals.

“Mark is a real physical presence and he has a lot of the attributes we want to see from a centre-forward, so I’m looking forward to working with him.” 

The striker has been on the fringes of the Brighton first team since the tail end of the 2023-24 season, and he made his Premier League debut last April during a 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor.

O’Mahony is one of many young Irish players at the Amex, a group that includes Andy Moran and Evan Ferguson.

The club are known for developing footballers and giving them minutes in a senior environment, and that includes loan moves before a spell with the senior team.

O’Mahony made sure to mention to this after scoring for the club against Cawley Town in the EFL Cup.

“Whatever happens (with my future), it is in the club’s hands,” he said.

“I know they are very good at picking pathways for young players and whatever that means after tonight, I trust the club. We just have to wait and see.

“The club gives young players a chance and you get to prove it on nights like these. I scored but there are other things I can improve on.” 

 O’Mahony first rose to prominence at Carrigaline United, where he received a Golden Boot in 2018 after scoring 38 goals for the club.

O’Mahony played for Cork City in the Underage National Leagues and that earned him a place in various Republic of Ireland underage squads.

2022 was a breakthrough year for the teenager as he scored six goals in 10 appearances for the U17s while training with the Cork City first team under Colin Healy. His reward came in the form of a League of Ireland First Division winners medal and being named Republic of Ireland U17 Player of the Year.