Mallon’s loan adventure

STEPHEN KENNY joked during the week that he might have to get to Australia to do some scouting now that Sheffield United youngster Stephen Mallon has joined Central Coast Mariners on loan.

The stint in the A-League promises to be an interesting life experience for the 20-year-old left-sided player from West Belfast who is committed to the Republic.

He made his debut over the weekend, a 21-minute sub appearance in his team’s defeat to a Western Sydney Wanderers managed by Markus Babbel.

The Mariners are based in Gosford, New South Wales. They were Roy O’Donovan’s entry point to Australia, but the 33-year-old is now with Newcastle Jets.