TEENAGE footballer Kieran Mahon is hoping to secure a two-year YTS scholarship with professional League One side Northampton Town.
The 17-year-old footballcv academy player impressed while playing four games on loan recently for the club’s under-18 academy side against Brighton, Southend, Rushden & Diamonds and Barnet.
‘I’m hoping for a YTS scholarship with Northampton,’ said Mahon, speaking from the UK yesterday. ‘I have learned a lot here [at the footballcvacademy] but need to go to a higher level to up my game, with more movement and a higher tempo. It means I would be able to keep improving and playing with better players. They have brought me on [at the academy] as a package and helped me out with a professional club.’
But after netting the winner for North after coming on as substitute in a Jeremie Cup semi-final against Priaulx League champions Bels last weekend, he is back in the island tonight ahead of another big game this weekend.
Mahon, who has reputedly also impressed scouts from Aston Villa, Stoke and Leicester, is in the Guernsey squad for the Junior Muratti against Jersey at the Track on Sunday afternoon.
And he is hoping to shake off a cold that has been plaguing him all week which he picked up in Guernsey after the North game.
‘It feels good coming back to Guernsey to represent Guernsey – I’m 100% up for it and it will be a good achievement to win it.’
He rated his chances as eight out of 10 that he will be fine for the inter-insular .
‘I’m looking forward to it – it should be a tough challenge,’ he said.
So how does he feel it will compare to what he has been used to playing in the UK this season?
‘I think it will be lower tempo, but a more direct game with more hard challenges,’ he said.
He is predicting a battle and close game with a 1-0 or 2-1 victory for Guernsey.
Mahon played for Guernsey under-18s in friendlies against Rangers and Bels over the Easter period.
But Guernsey under-18s coach Paul Ockleford will not reveal publicly or to the players his starting line-up for the Muratti until Sunday and whether Mahon would feature.
‘He has as good a chance as everybody else in the squad of playing.
‘He has looked sharp, his technical ability has improved and his movement off the ball is good – you can tell he has been away.’
Article posted on 28th March, 2008 - 2.30pm
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