General
- Thursday July 27th, 2023 @ 15:10
Eoin Doyle Announces Retirement
St Patrick's Athletic can confirm that striker Eoin Doyle has retired from professional football.
The 35-year-old announced his retirement on Thursday morning, for personal reasons.
Eoin said:
"I'd like to thank everyone at St Patrick's Athletic and all of my previous clubs as well as all of my managers, coaches, team-mates, club staff, supporters and everyone who has played a part in my career across the last 20 years.
I've had a wonderful 18 months at St Patrick's Athletic and I'll always be grateful to the club for bringing me home and giving me an opportunity to play in the League of Ireland again.
I'll have some great memories of my time in Inchicore, especially the European nights last year and some big league wins in front of brilliant crowds.
I wish everyone all the best for the future. I won't be a stranger.
I'd also like to thank my family and friends, for all of their support and all of the sacrifices they've made to help me have the career I've had, to my mum and dad, my wife, my three kids and everyone, thank you."
DOYLE AS A SAINT
Doyle joined The Super Saints from Bolton Wanderers in January 2022, signing a long-term contract at Richmond Park ahead of the 2022 season.
He finished as second top scorer in the League of Ireland Premier Division in his first year back in Ireland, scoring 14 goals in 36 appearances in the league (2022).
Eoin made 42 appearances in total last season, meaning he played in every competitive match possible in 2022 in the President's Cup (1), League of Ireland Premier Division (36), FAI Cup (1) and UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers (4).
He played 21 times this season (2023), scoring four goals.
Eoin's last game for St Patrick's Athletic came as a substitute in the Europa Conference League qualifier against F91 Dudelange last Thursday and his final goal in professional football was in the 4-1 win against Derry City on June 5th at Richmond Park.
Overall, Doyle played 63 times for St Patrick's Athletic, scoring 18 times.
St Patrick's Athletic Chairman Garrett Kelleher said:
"On behalf of the board and everyone at St Patrick's Athletic I would like to thank Eoin for his 18 months at the club, congratulate him on a great career, and wish him all the best for the future.
Eoin has been a positive role model across his entire career for young ambitious Irish footballers.
He carved out a very successful career in the UK coming from the League of Ireland, whilst rearing a family and planning for life afterwards.
His infectious positivity, integrity, dedication and commitment have been great examples for all our younger players. He has been most generous in sharing his experience, wisdom and has been a great influence on all those he touched at the club. He will be missed.
We wish Eoin and his family well in his retirement from the game and all his future endeavours."
Manager Jon Daly added:
"I'd like to thank Eoin for his contribution to St Patrick's Athletic over the last 18 months and wish him and his family well for the future.
Eoin has played a key role on and off the pitch during his time at the club and has scored some excellent goals.
He has had a fantastic career, it's been a privilege to coach and manage him.
Eoin has been a great example to the young players in what it takes to be a professional footballer with his daily habits.
Eoin consistently scored goals at all of his clubs and has had an excellent career, we'd all like to wish him well, I've not doubt he will be successful in whatever path he chooses to go down."
A TOP CAREER
Eoin Doyle scored over 200 goals in over 620 senior appearances across his career in Ireland, Scotland and England, he has played competitively at senior level for 12 different clubs.
Doyle spent his schoolboy career with Shelbourne, Cherry Orchard and Crumlin United and made his League Of Ireland debut for Shamrock Rovers in 2007.
He moved to Sligo Rovers in July 2009, and won a League and FAI Cup double at The Showgrounds in 2010 and another FAI Cup the following year before departing to Scottish Premier League side Hibernian in December 2011.
Eoin joined Chesterfield in May 2013 and spent the next nine years in the UK with eight different clubs.
He was won EFL League 2 three times, with Chesterfield (2013/14), Portsmouth (2016/17) and Swindon Town (2019/2020), he was named EFL League 2 Player of the Year for the 2019/20 season and also finished top scorer with 26 goals in 28 appearances, he has been named in the PFA Team of the Team twice in League 2 and once in League 1.
His last club in the UK were Bolton Wanderers, he helped them win promotion from EFL League 2 to EFL League 1 at the end of the 2021/21 campaign. He scored on his final appearance in England in a 2-1 defeat to Rotherham in January 2022.
Photo credit: Inpho Sports
