Mark O'Mahony says he is thriving on the pressure of Championship football – and playing in front of noisy fans.
The Albion striker has scored twice on loan at Portsmouth as they battle away at the foot of the table.
His second was a brilliant diving header in front of the home end at Fratton Park.
O’Mahony, 19, is following in the footsteps of Aaron Connolly and Evan Ferguson as a young Irish striker looking to progress with the Seagulls.
He says he is learning a lot already on loan and added: “The biggest thing for me wasn’t even the playing, it was more the fans, knowing there are so many fans there but it makes it so much better.
“The physicality and intensity is a lot higher too but I feel like I’m doing well. The biggest thing for me was to learn men’s football.
“You actually get to feel pressure. They tell you there is pressure in Premier League 2 but it’s not really pressure.
That Aaron Connolly interview. I wasn’t overly surprised by the content but I was surprised he did it. I still recall that Trophy hat-trick at MK Dons and how impressive his attitude was that night. #bhafc https://t.co/AYf6pz2Jks
— Brian Owen (@Brian__Owen) October 11, 2024
“Here you are playing with lads whose jobs are on the line at the end of the day.
“It’s only driving me on because I actually enjoy it, I play better with pressure.”
O’Mahony, with the Republic of Ireland under-21s as they drew 1-1 with Norway in his native Cork last night, believes his loan can prepare him to perform before big crowds in the Premier League.
He told Irish media: “I wasn’t expecting the atmosphere to be that good.
“The fans are unbelievable. They live and breathe the club.
“I never really knew it beforehand.”
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