Eoin Doyle announces retirement from professional football
EOIN Doyle has announced his retirement from professional football.
St Patrick’s Athletic confirmed that the Firhouse man had played his last game for the club, with the 35-year-old hanging up his boots for personal reasons.
“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,” Doyle said.
“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 was a prolific goalscorer, having netted over 200 times in some 630 appearances across his playing career in Ireland, Scotland and England.
A Cherry Orchard and Crumlin United schoolboy, Doyle made his professional debut in the League of Ireland for Shamrock Rovers in 2007 and won a league and two FAI Cups with Sligo Rovers.
In 2011, Doyle moved across the water to join Hibernian and after joining Chesterfield in May 2013, spent nine years in England with eight different clubs.
In 2019, while on loan with League Two outfit Swindon Town, Doyle became the first player in any of England’s top four leagues to score in 11 consecutive matches since Jamie Vardy in 2015.
He had a goal per game record with Swindon during his loan spell and later signed for Bolton Wanderers in 2020, where he scored 27 goals in 73 appearances and helped them to promotion.
In terms of accolades, Doyle won the EFL League Two three times, was named player of the year in the league for the 2019/20 season, and was named in the PFA Team of Year twice.
Doyle had spoken of his desire to play in Ireland once more before hanging up his boots, and penned a three-year deal with St Pat’s in January, 2022.
Playing out of Inchicore, Doyle wore the Saints jersey 63 times, scoring 18-times before announcing his retirement on Thursday, July 27.
For full access to all content on Echo.ie and to support the continuation of local news and local journalism in your community subscribe HERE.
