Hoban signs for Mariners

Patrick Hoban has signed for Grimsby Town on loan from Oxford United until the end of the season.

In-form teammates and only five goals so far this term has seen Hoban fall out of favour with the League 2 side, but he will be looking to bounce back during his spell with the Mariners.

He left Dundalk for England following an impressive stint at Dundalk that saw him bag 34 goals in 60 appearances for the Lilywhites. A good first season at Oxford saw a tidy return of 12 goals in 29 appearances but Oxford’s other strikers’ form and a lower return this season have no doubt instigated the move.

His move to Grimsby is an exciting one for the Lincolnshire club whose fans will be hoping he can link up with fellow former League of Ireland player Pádraig Amond and hit similar heights. Amond is currently the top scorer in England with 28 goals in all competitions.

Such has been the success of Amond’s arrival that Hoban’s announcement yesterday caused a lot of excitement on the banks of the Humber. Mariners fans will be hoping Hoban can push them onto promotion from the National League and an FA Trophy final at Wembley in May.

Hoban is expected to go straight into the squad for Friday’s televised top of the table clash against Forest Green Rovers.