Brighton to take highly rated Cork City and Ireland underage star on trial

Brighton’s League of Ireland recruitment drive could continue - with Cork City youngster Matthew Murray heading to the Premier League side next week for a trial.

The Ireland Under-18 youngster will aim to impress Seagulls coaches, who will then decide whether to pursue a move for the winger when he turns 18 next October.

Murray, an academy graduate at Turner’s Cross, made two first-team appearances last season in City’s successful First Division promotion challenge.

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He also played in the Munster Senior Cup and was on the bench on a number of occasions for Tim Clancy’s side.

Murray is a year into a three-year contract - his first professional deal - at Cork, meaning the Leesiders would be in a strong position to command a sizable fee.

Brighton would not be afraid to pay out for the winger, given their recent record of recruitment from the League of Ireland.

Evan Ferguson is their most famous capture. He arrived from Bohemians in 2021.

Another top prospect is Andy Moran, who made a strong impression when he came off the bench against England at Wembley.

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Moran, who has featured once in the Premier League so far, against Everton, is currently on loan at Stoke City, where he is winning rave reviews for his performances.

Mark O’Mahony and Jamie Mullins are the most recent recruits. Ireland Under-19 striker O’Mahony made the move from Cork in January of last year for around €60,000, while Mullins joined from Bohemians.

And Warren O’Hora, now a regular first-team player at MK Dons after a loan move was made permanent in 2021, is another. He was snapped up from Bohs in 2018.

Other recent League of Ireland arrivals include goalkeeper Killian Cahill and defender James Furlong from Shamrock Rovers. Furlong moved on last year to Hull City.

Leigh Kavanagh joined from Bray Wanderers and spent four years at the club before returning home last summer to sign for Bohs.

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