CHERRIES new boy Connor Mahoney has admitted he drew inspiration for his adventurous style from being reared on former Blackburn star Damien Duff's scintillating wing play.

Mahoney last month joined Cherries on a four-year deal from Rovers and promptly insisted he had his own way of doing things on the pitch.

Nevertheless, the 20-year-old confessed he watched on rapt from the Ewood Park terraces as former Ireland international Duff laid opposing defences to waste.

Duff was one of the leading protagonists of a Blackburn team that was promoted from the Championship in 2001 and lifted the League Cup a year later. He subsequently won the Premier League twice with Chelsea.

Mahoney told the Daily Echo: "I really enjoyed watching Damien Duff – and some people say I play like him. He was an extremely good player.

"But I am my own person and have my own way of playing. I do my own stuff and, hopefully, that will take me as far as I can go.

"There are a lot of big characters in the dressing room here and they are all Premier League players, so you have to be confident in your own ability."

Mahoney was signed for Blackburn by then boss Gary Bowyer in December 2013. He was swiftly handed a debut from the bench in an FA Cup tie at Manchester City before his season was ended by a shin problem.

The attacker left Rovers – who he joined from Accrington Stanley – having made six starts under three different managers – Paul Lambert, Owen Coyle and Tony Mowbray.

And while he insisted the players at the Lancashire club kept their noses out of any off-field upheaval, he was glad to be arriving in a more stable environment.

Furthermore, Mahoney said his new team-mates had made the task of bedding in at Cherries an extremely easy one.

"The lads have all been great and told me I made the right decision," he said.

"It was hard chopping and changing managers at Blackburn, but that was out of the players’ control and we had to let it play itself out. I am just happy to be here now.

“The manager has taken Bournemouth from League Two to the Premier League, and then to finish ninth last year was an incredible achievement.

“Hopefully, this season we can go a bit better and I can get a few minutes.”

Mahoney featured in Cherries' 2-1 win over Estoril five days ago and says his priority is to make a significant impression on his new employers as quickly as possible.

"I have some experience of moving clubs but this is on a different level," added Mahoney. "You're in the public eye playing in the Premier League and it's exciting.

"I just want to get settled and play as many games as possible.

"My family will stay up north but visit when they can. I'm sure every time I'm playing they will make the long journey down!"