LAST UPDATE | 10 Jan
PATRICK HOBAN SAYS he wants to “get back to the top of the mountain” with Derry City after his €30,000 move from Dundalk on a two-year contract.
The 32-year-old became the all-time record goal scorer at Oriel Park last season and also netted 14 times in a campaign which saw the struggling Lilywhites finish in mid table.
However, Hoban was informed 11 weeks ago that he was surplus to requirements at the club despite having a year left on his contract.
Negotiations with Derry, who have finished runners-up to Shamrock Rovers in each of the last two seasons under manager Ruaidhrí Higgins, had been ongoing for some time and a breakthrough was made yesterday.
Hoban admitted his relief at the deal being completed and Higgins also confirmed that Derry’s transfer business ahead of the 2024 season is now complete.
“I was delighted. It was saga over. My full concentration now is to help Derry win a league. I am here to win trophies. Nothing else,” the Galway native said at his unveiling earlier today.
“I see the last three years of my career as disappointing really. For me to come up here and to hopefully help win a trophy, that’s my aim and to do that would be massive. Winning trophies at different clubs, especially the league, is huge. For myself personally, that would be a good thing to do. But to do it with another group would be great.”
“What happened at my previous club has happened and as a footballer sometimes a new challenge is what you need. That’s what I feel right now.”
Hoban wasn’t prepared to dwell too much on the circumstances surrounding his Dundalk exit but did open up on
“There was no point in me staying. That’s all I’m going to say really. There was no point at all where I was going to be staying at Oriel Park. I was told what I was told 11 weeks ago and that was it. I’m a Derry City footballer now and that’s all my focus is on.
“What’s been built here for the last two years has been phenomenal. You can tell with the way they went in Europe last year and the league as well. They have a lot of quality and what the gaffer has built here has been nothing short of phenomenal and I’m just delighted that he has added me to the mix.
“I want to get back on top of the mountain, that’s winning the league and with the players that are here we have a great chance of doing that. I always feel I have something to prove. You always have someone doubting you out there.
“I obviously still have my doubters and I want to prove everyone wrong. Coming up here there is always something to prove, of course there is. I’m coming up here to try and win a league, not to just dwindle down my career.
“I always feel like I have a point to prove but that’s how I get the best out of myself. That’s the way I’ve always been.”
Hoban had earlier released a heartfelt statement on social media reflecting on his time at Dundalk.
It reads: “A new era in my life and career begins from today at Derry City. While it’s a chapter that I am looking forward to, it would be remiss of me not to thank each and every Dundalk fan and team-mate who made my eight seasons at Oriel Park so special.
“Dundalk became more than just a football club to me. It became my home and a place where I am thankful to have met so many wonderful people, many of which I now call friends.
“I couldn’t have imagined when Stephen Kenny signed me from Mervue the incredible journey that was ahead of me. Nights like winning the league in 2014, the double in 2018 and the many brilliant European nights will live with me forever.
“While it is sad that the journey has come to an end, I’m proud to be departing as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. That’s something that means so much to me and my family. When it became an ambition of mine to break Joey Donnelly’s record, I took it upon myself to learn about the many wonderful goalscorers to have represented this club from the great Jimmy Hasty, Paddy Turner and Francie Callan to even meeting up with the late Joe Martin on a number of occasions. I hope I am leaving behind as many memories as some of those greats.
“It’s not easy to say goodbye. Every goal and victory in a Dundalk shirt mattered to me. There was no greater feeling than celebrating in front of the Shed or saluting the stand after a big win and I’ll never forget the many brilliant celebrations we had together.
— Patrick Hoban (@PaHoban10) January 10, 2024
“Playing week in, week out in Oriel Park has been the most incredible experience of my life. There have been hard days too but Dundalk is a town whose heart beats in tune with the fortunes of its wonderful football club – and to that club and its incredible supporters, I say thank you and best of luck.
“Dundalk is forever part of me and I’ll never forget what you have given me.
“All the best, Patrick Hoban #9″
Hoban’s departure makes Dundalk’s off-season rebuilding job all the more daunting. Now under the new ownership of former Kerry owner Brian Ainscough, Dundalk may also have to replace highly-rated goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd, whose future at Oriel Park is uncertain.
Elsewhere, Ali Coote’s exit from Bohemians has been confirmed. The Scottish midfielder was linked with a move to St Patrick’s Athletic at the end of last season, but has instead left Ireland entirely for a move to the United States.
Coote has joined Detroit City FC of the USL Championship, the States’ second-tier. He has signed a two-year contract. Coote continues a trend of League of Ireland players leaving for the USL, following in the recent footsteps of Dan Casey, Lee Desmond, and Billy King.
- With reporting from Emma Duffy and David Sneyd.
