O'Mahony: I wanted to make sure my first touch was good!

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Striker made his Premier League debut in the 1-1 draw with Burnley.

Charlie Hanson

2024-04-17T09:00:00Z

Mark O'Mahony joined Albion from Cork City in January 2023.

Mark O’Mahony was delighted to make his Premier League debut against Burnley, but admitted his biggest concern was making sure his first touch was spot on.

“It was just a quick ‘Mark, warm up’ [from Roberto De Zerbi], then Andrea [Maldera] gave me a bit of tactics and I was just buzzing to get on the pitch,” the Irishman said.

“I think the big thing is getting your first touch, that’s what gives you your confidence and thankfully I thought my first touch was alright.

“I was delighted to get on the pitch and it was an unlucky result, but we move forward.”

The forward was in six Premier League matchday squads before finally being handed his debut.

“When you’re an academy player you can’t rush it, it’s about patience. For days like Saturday it’s worth it. I am happy being in and around the lads," added O'Mahony.

“It’s good when you see people talking about you but I try to ignore it. I just want to keep doing my job, working with the team.”

The 19-year-old’s debut came a few days after he signed a new three-year contract last week.

The striker came on for the final minutes of our 1-1 draw with Burnley.

Now he wants to use last week’s success to try and follow in the footsteps of countryman Evan Ferguson, as well as learn from Danny Welbeck.

“It was nice to have my family over for the signing and I am delighted to extend my time here. You always want to earn your second contract," he added.

“When you look at what Evan has done, especially as an Irishman, you know if your chance comes you can really take it. I’ve looked up to him over the last year, he’s definitely a good role model.

The striker signed a new contract last week that runs until June 2027.

“Every day in training I look at Danny Welbeck. For the career he’s had and the titles he's won. He’s someone I always keep an eye on – his first touch, his movement.”

Mark also says he’s had a good learning environment with our under-21s, for whom he has scored ten goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances this season.

“[Coaches] Shannon [Ruth] and Gary [Dicker] have helped me a lot with the under-21s. Thankfully I am having a good year with the under-21s. Getting your Premier League debut doesn’t just happen, it comes from working every day with them on stuff I am good at and the stuff I need to improve on.”