Hoban Announces Dundalk Departure

After scoring twice on a night when he concluded his career with 150 league goals for the Lilywhites, Patrick Hoban announced his departure from Dundalk on Friday night. Although he will be playing somewhere else next year and not wearing a Dundalk shirt, it won’t be farewell—rather, it will be “see you next year.”

After Sam Durrant picked up the loose ball and attacked the UCD back four, John Martin managed to elude his defender and hit a fierce shot that struck the post. The ball fell to Patrick Hoban, who was waiting to score his final goal of the season and his last for Dundalk, which was confirmed after the final whistle.

An incredible career that spanned over two spells and concluded in a way he didn’t want or expect. To be honest, nobody connected to Dundalk desired this.

Standing ovations are occasionally a feature of football games, but after this one, as well as when he entered the game against Bohemians last week, the fans stood up from their seats to express their admiration for the player who had brought so much happiness, success, and excitement to Dundalk while wearing the number 9. He took a moment to process it, then posed for pictures with supporters before leaving the pitch. Raising his hand aloft with the captain’s armband clinched in his fist his face said it all.

“That’s my last game for Dundalk from what I was told nearly ten days ago now.” He told the media following the 5-1 victory over already relegated UCD, it looked at one stage that Dundalk would sneak into fourth place only for a comeback from Shelbourne in Drogheda to secure their place …almost in Europe for 2024.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush.”

“I still have a year left on my contract and I was told that basically my services aren’t needed anymore. I was told that I can leave,” informed Hoban with the news initially breaking of his departure much to the ire of supporters following a post on a Dundalk FC supporters’ website.

The man who wears his heart on his sleeve put on two incredible performances in his final two games, contributing significantly to both triumphs, leaving no doubt in the minds of the supporters that he would stop at nothing to try and secure fourth position. There was not to be a fairy tale ending.

“At the end of the day the fans saw I will always give my all for the jersey and for them.”

“I’m not going to stay where I’m not wanted. I have a year’s contract. I could, but what’s the point in doing that?”

“I’ve made peace with it. The decision is made and can’t be reversed. No way. For me, loyalty, trust and honesty are massive in the game. That’s broken. I’ve taken it on the chin. I’m a man about it. I wanted to finish my career here. It’s not meant to be.”

Hoban will be remembered for his ability to poach goals that ultimately decided big games. His league-saving goal against Bray in 2014 at the Carlisle Grounds in a muddy, rain-soaked situation, his league-winning goal against St. Patricks Athletic in 2018, and his spectacular headers against Qarabag and Rapid Vienna in Europe are just a few examples of the variety of goals he was capable of scoring. The number nine will now accept offers in League of Ireland circles.

 “I feel I’ve two or three years left in me, really good ones. I’m not going to do that.

“I’m going to go elsewhere and continue with a new chapter.

“That’s the way it is. That’s life.

“It’s sad. That’s the last time I will put on a Dundalk jersey.

“I’ll be playing against them next year, so it won’t be my last time in Oriel Park.

“I’ll be doing a job for someone else and that’s the way it is.”

It’s unclear where Patrick Hoban will end up by February of next year, but one thing is certain—his sombre exit will hurt more than most.