Hoban itching for start of Dundalk season

Speaking after his side’s first game of 2014, Dundalk hotshot Patrick Hoban was pleased with their display against Barnsley and is also eyeing a successful year ahead.

The Lilywhites took the lead through a superb Richie Towell strike only for the Tykes to hit back en route to a 4-1 scoreline that did perhaps flatter them somewhat in the end.

“It was a good game and a good work out for getting back out there,” he said afterwards. “It was a tough game for our first one back with them being in the middle of their season and we are just starting off but I thought they got two goals that came out of nowhere really.

“That is what quality does I suppose, it shines through, but I thought we did very well. We squeezed them high and deservedly took the lead but it is just hard to keep that up for 90 minutes when we are not quite as fit yet.”

Looking to the upcoming campaign, the Galway native was full of praise for the current squad and those who have joined up with it during the transfer window while also believing that the competition for places within the group can only be a good thing.

He continued: “It is a brilliant squad we have this year definitely and the new lads that have come in have made us even stronger as a squad this year and even in training everyone is buzzing around so it is all good with us at the moment.

“There is loads of competition within for places when you look at it especially out wide and in midfield and even up front for myself so that will keep me ticking over.”

The man nicknamed ‘The Hobanator’ at Oriel Park is already antsy to get the season underway at this early stage and is very eager for the league to get going and he sees no reason why his side cannot go one better than last year and deliver a first league title to the Carrick Road since 1995.

“I can’t wait, I really can’t wait for the season to get started again and I don’t see why not? Everyone is improving and getting stronger and we know that the other teams are as well like Sligo, Shamrock Rovers and especially St Pat’s so we just have to see how it goes.

“We know looking at our own ability that we can do it and time will tell because results speak for themselves in the end.”