SWINDON Town made their first summer signing on Thursday by bringing Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney in on a season-long loan.
Reading-born Mahoney progressed all the way through QPR's academy system after joining from Wycombe Wanderers' set-up in 2012 aged 10.
Town make first summer signing in form of Murphy Mahoney.
Since graduating into the R's Under-21 side, Mahoney has played just nine games for a combination of National League South, National League North, and Championship teams – and only half a dozen more with Stratford Town in the Southern League.
With very little professional experience behind him and – as a result – not much background information available, Adver Sport asked those closer to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium for a brief report on the 21-year-old.
QPR fan and 'R' Generation writer Ben Summer recalled being “impressed” with Mahoney in his two games for the west London club during the final stages of the 21/22 campaign but wonders whether his talents lie beyond simply stopping shots.
He said: “QPR fans haven't seen much of Mahoney as he came into the team during a freak goalkeeper injury crisis which saw us burn through Seny Dieng, Jordan Archer, David Marshall, and Kieren Westwood in a matter of weeks.
“All I can say is that one of his two first-team games came when the team was at rock bottom with a promotion push having gone sour, and were playing Sheffield United at home as the Blades tried to secure their promotion place courtesy of some seriously good form.
“Given how junior Mahoney was at this stage, he dealt with the onslaught very well and I remember being impressed.
“Whether he's got the qualities you'd look for beyond shot stopping remains to be seen.
“This is probably the season that will decide whether he's likely to have a future at QPR - I know a few Rs fans who are happy with this loan as it potentially means some proper first team EFL football for him.”
Meanwhile, QPR season-ticket holder Louis Moir was full of praise and optimism over the young stopper's future prospects.
He said: "Mahoney was thrown in at the deep end and grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
"He didn’t disappoint, and for a young lad who was used to playing in the youth teams and then having lower league loans, he was a positive in what was a tough time for the club as our season fell apart.
"We lost both of the games he started in but that wasn’t his fault at all. If anything, he actually kept the score down, especially when we played Preston away.
"He made some excellent saves, and one thing that I noticed was - even at his young age - he was comfortable on the ball, which is a sign of massive potential.
"It’s hard to say what he can improve on as he’s only 21, but if he keeps developing, I’m sure he’ll turn into a decent goalkeeper.
"This loan seems perfect for him and hopefully he can impress the Swindon fans."
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