MCMAHON-BROWN LEARNS FROM FELLOW IRELAND INTERNATIONAL CULLEN
Pair chat U17s FIFA World Cup, development and more!
Before the end of the 2024/25 season, first team midfielder Josh Cullen took the time to congratulate the Academy's Kian McMahon-Brown on a big achievement for the Republic of Ireland.
The Boys in Green have qualified for the U17s FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, with first-year scholar McMahon-Brown playing a key role in their progress.
The 16-year-old played in all three of his country’s final three UEFA Euro Elite Round qualifiers, with a second placed finish in Group A6 enough to book their place in November’s tournament in Qatar.
Ireland will face Panama, Uzbekistan and Paraguay in the World Cup, which is taking place at Al Rayyan’s Aspire Zone Sports Complex.
“It’s massive for myself, my family and the country as a whole,” McMahon-Brown said.
“I can’t wait to go away and hopefully it will be a good tournament.
“International football is a lot different to club football and you’re playing against some of the best players from around the world.
“When I come back home from international duty it gives me more confidence heading into club matches.
“It will be really hot over there too, which will hopefully benefit me in terms of getting fitter.”
The Republic of Ireland needed to finish first in their group to qualify for last month’s Euros in Albania.
The fact that they missed out on that tournament hasn’t dampened the mood created from a 5-0 victory over Iceland in their final qualifier, in which McMahon-Brown provided the assist for the second goal.
Cullen is of course no stranger to the international stage, having earned 42 senior caps since his debut in 2019.
After hearing about the U17s’ achievement, the 29-year-old took the time to check in with McMahon-Brown at Burnley Training Centre.
“Josh is such a good player and it’s good to have somebody around who’s been playing so well for his club and country,” McMahon-Brown continued.
“We had a conversation and he gave me some good advice, encouraging me to keep going.
“I look up to him and I know that I’ll have to do similar things that he does if I want to progress.”
McMahon-Brown has enjoyed a productive first season as a full-time footballer for the Clarets, playing in attacking midfield and striking roles.
The teenager managed 34 goals and 15 assists across U17s, U18s and U21s fixtures.
In the second half of the campaign, he made six appearances for the U21s and scored three times, including a brace against Watford when he played at Turf Moor for the first time.
“I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it,” the first-year scholar continued.
“There is a great group of lads and staff here at Burnley and it can be hard going from part-time to full-time football for some players, but it’s been great.
“We’ve worked so hard for nine months and that’s not just us as players – we appreciate all the hard work from Tony (Philliskirk – U18s Manager), Matt (Walsh – U18s Assistant Manager) and the rest of the staff behind the scenes.
“It was great to win the league and be able to lift the trophy at Turf Moor too.
“At U21s level the lads are a lot older and more physical, and you are around better players at the end of the day.
“Being able to step up to that challenge is the most important thing, and I think I was able to do that quite well.”
McMahon-Brown is currently away with Colin O’Brien’s Young Boys in Green in Croatia for a training camp and friendlies against Norway, Turkey and Croatia.
He will then return to Lancashire for the start of the Academy’s pre-season at the end of June, before looking to kick on in the second year of his scholarship.
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