COLIN MILLAR

GLENAVON are fast forming a reputation for producing exciting young players and Jack O’mahony, currently on a season-long loan at H&W Welders, is using former Lurgan Blues teammate Bobby Burns as his example.

1 8 - y e a r - old Mahony is starring for the Welders on loan this season and is looking to Burns – now playing in the Scottish top flight – who enjoyed a loan at Knockbreda in 2017. “My reference is what Bobby Burns has managed to do,” O’mahony told Match On Tuesday.

“He is the perfect example for me and we are good mates too. I was talking to him when he joined Knockbreda on loan, when he came back to Glenavon and since he’s moved over to Scotland.

“I recently spoke to him when he was with the Northern Ireland senior squad and he told me that I needed to keep going, keep learning and improving my game.

“I need to bring this experience back to Glenavon because I know this is making me a much better player who is ready for the top flight.

“I know this season will stand me in good stead for my future career.

“Playing with the international youth teams is a totally different style of football, there’s a different emphasis and focus on how to play, but combining this with the

Championship is fantastic.

“This is important because there’s a lot of players in international youth teams who only play in youth teams in England, but when you’re up against senior players its totally different.”

The Northern Ireland

Under-19 international, primarily a right winger but who is being deployed at right-back this year, believes Glenavon are the perfect club to allow him to improve.

“I came to Glenavon