St Patrick's Athletic striker Eoin Doyle announces retirement from professional football
Eoin Doyle embraces former teammate Paddy Barrett after St Patrick's Athletic 1-0 victory over Shelbourne at Richmond Park on Friday, 24 February 2023. Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)
Irish footballer Eoin Doyle, striker for St Patrick's Athletic, has officially announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 35.
Doyle expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt message, "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 expressed a particular fondness for his time at St Patrick's Athletic and the memorable games he had experienced.
In his time with St Patrick's Athletic, Doyle made quite an impression. He joined the Athletic from Bolton Wanderers in January 2022, and during his first year back in Ireland, he finished as the second top scorer in the League of Ireland Premier Division, netting 14 goals in 36 appearances. In total, he scored 18 goals in 63 appearances for the club.
St Patrick's Athletic Chairman, Garrett Kelleher, commended Doyle for his impact at the club and his influential career.
"Eoin has been a positive role model across his entire career for young ambitious Irish footballers... His infectious positivity, integrity, dedication and commitment have been great examples for all our younger players."
Manager Jon Daly echoed Kelleher's sentiment, adding that "Eoin has played a key role on and off the pitch during his time at the club... It's been a privilege to coach and manage him."
Doyle's career has been extensive and illustrious, scoring over 200 goals in more than 620 senior appearances across his career in Ireland, Scotland, and England.
He's had stints at 12 different clubs and has won the EFL League 2 three times, and was also named EFL League 2 Player of the Year for the 2019/20 season.
