According to Alan Nixon, League One side Leyton Orient are targeting Brighton and Hove Albion striker Mark O’Mahony.
The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Championship side Portsmouth, where he made 13 appearances, scoring three goals.
The Irishman struggled for game time due to injury and competition for a starting spot, with third-tier side Orient reportedly interested in bringing the player to Brisbane Road.
A Frustrating Loan Spell
O’Mahony moved to England, joining Premier League outfit Brighton from Cork City in early 2023.
He left one club on the south coast to join another last summer, signing on loan for Pompey, in their first season back in the Championship for 14 years. The signing was completed just 24 hours after he netted his first senior goal for the Seagulls against Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup, leaving many Portsmouth fans with high hopes for the 20-year-old.
However, it’s fair to say that this loan spell didn’t go as the 20-year-old would’ve liked, picking up a bruised toe early in the season, followed by a hamstring injury in November 2024, which kept him out of action until early February 2025. On top of this, with so many strikers at the club, O’Mahony made just five starts, and a further eight substitute appearances, scoring just three goals.
His first loan spell in senior football in England didn’t go as planned, but a step down a division could be the level at which O’Mahony could shine.
Leyton Orient Rebuild After Play-Off Defeat
There’s no doubt that Richie Wellens will be looking to build on the success the club had under him last season. The East London outfit fell one step short of second-tier football, losing to London rivals Charlton Athletic in the League One play-off final.
Crucial loanees such as Jack Currie, Josh Keeley, Jamie Donely and League One golden boot winner Charlie Kelman have all returned to their parent clubs, with the O’s needing replacements.
Eight players have also departed the club upon the expiry of their contract, leaving six further players in discussion and 14 players who are under contract for next season.
The club need to get this transfer window right if they want to emulate the success they had last season. Leyton Orient are under new American ownership, which may mean an increase in transfer budgets.
Burnley striker Dara Costelloe has also been linked with a move to Brisbane Road, whilst midfielder Ethan Galbraith has been linked with a move away.
Big Boots To Fill
It’s no secret that whatever striker Orient decide to bring in will have big boots to fill following the departure of Kelman, who, on loan from Queens Park Rangers, scored 27 goals in 61 appearances in all competitions, 23 of which came in the league.
Losing a striker who has scored that many goals in one campaign is a big blow for any club, with Orient needing to replace Kelman with players who are capable of finding the back of the net.
Writer’s View
A move for all parties here would make sense, Orient needing to replace players and bring in strikers, whilst Brighton will want O’Mahony to get more first-team game time at a lower level. A loan spell at the second-tier didn’t go as planned, so a move further down the pyramid to a side who will be looking at promotion again wouldn’t be the worst move in the world.
