Carrigaline’s Mark O’Mahony signs for Reading on season long loan 

Carrigaline’s Mark O’Mahony has joined Reading on a season long loan from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Three clubs were looking for the striker’s signature – including Conor Hourihane’s Barnsley – and it came down to the team known locally for recruiting Alan Bennett and Shane Long from Cork City.

The 20-year old will spend the 2025-26 season at Reading, who ply their trade in EFL League One.

The striker will be coached by Noel Hunt, a Waterford native and former Republic of Ireland international.

The Cork City academy graduate has had his future questioned all summer, and this was reference by Reading’s CEO Joe Jacobson when the loan deal was announced.

"Mark is someone who has been highly sought after in this transfer window,” he told the club’s media team.

“The Manager speaking to him personally has made him want to come here, Noel's thoughts on the player and how he sees him playing and developing was key.

“It's an exciting addition, and another player with experience in the league above. He's very highly thought of at Brighton, and we'd like to place on record our thanks to them for entrusting us to offer him game time and provide further development."

First Team Manager, Noel Hunt, added: "Mark is a young hungry striker who wants to come in and develop at our club. 

"He's young and he wants to learn his trade after having a successful loan deal last year at Portsmouth in the Championship.

“He learnt plenty whilst playing at that level, which will stand him in good stead for the upcoming season. 

"He's another player who has come through a really strong Academy, and will be a great addition to our squad."

Mark O’Mahony started out with Carrigaline United before moving to Cork City’s Academy, where he played in the Underage National Leagues.

The forward progressed into the senior team in 2022 under Colin Healy and he finished that year with a First Division winner’s medal.

The striker was then signed by Brighton, a club known for developing young Irish players following the acquisitions of Andrew Moran and Evan Ferguson.

O’Mahony broke through during the 2023-24 Premier League season, with his debut coming in a 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor. That came just days after the forward signed a long-term deal that will keep him at the Amex until summer 2027.

The Republic of Ireland U21 international scored his first senior goal for Brighton during a 4-0 victory over Cawley Town in the EFL Cup in August 2024.

That was followed by a season long loan for O’Mahony at EFL Championship side Portsmouth, where he scored three goals in 13 goals in an injury laden spell Fratton Park.