Brighton boss thinks Cork striker 'can be the new Evan Ferguson'

Evan Ferguson may be elevated as Ireland’s saviour but his Brighton boss feels compatriot Mark O’Mahony possesses some superior traits.

Ferguson shot to fame over 2023 – scoring a Premier League hat-trick against Newcastle United – but this year’s nightmare concluded last week with injury ruling him out for the season.

O’Mahony is another Irish teen striker to break through at the AMEX, with two sub league appearances followed up with his first start in Saturday’s defeat at Bournemouth.

The Carrigaline man joined the Premier League club from Cork City in January 2023 after the Seagulls activated an initial release clause of €60,000, having made 11 first-team appearances under Colin Healy. He has also moved up the international ranks, making his Ireland’s U21 debut last month.

Roberto De Zerbi has no fears about heaping pressure on the Leesider, likening him to their €60m-rated fellow 19-year-old marksman.

”I think Mark can be the new Evan Ferguson because he seems a lot like Evan,” said the Italian.

“Maybe Evan has a different shot but Mark is better in terms of possession.

“He understands the play better. We will see. I want to give them the chance to play for sure.

“We need fresh energy and maybe we can pay for something in experience. We need that energy because I don't change the style of the team. We’ll play with the same courage and mentality.

“We try to prepare with our best strategy in the next game but I don't lose one centimetre of our mentality and bravery for sure." 

Speculation continues to link De Zerbi with bigger suitors but he’s planning to keep O’Mahony in his Brighton plans after recently granting a long-term contract extension.

“We have to think in the future - and I am excited to think in the