Sean Hoare switches to the Saints from Shamrock Rovers

Defender Sean Hoare has made a return to St. Patrick’s Athletic. The former Saint had a successful four-year period at Shamrock Rovers – winning three league titles – but has made the move back to Inchicore to work once again with Stephen Kenny who managed him to league and cup success in Dundalk.

"St Pat's has a soft spot in my heart so I'm delighted to be back and I'm looking forward to getting going with the lads,” said Hoare who has been handed the number two shirt for the Saints.

“I had a very successful first spell here, winning the FAI Cup (in 2014) and a couple of League Cups and being part of the 2013 squad that won the league, it was a great experience being around those lads even though I didn't feature in the league that season. 

“I joined St Pat's to go to Maynooth University on the Scholarship Programme (completing a degree in Business and Accounting, so I was able to combine that with beginning my professional career and learning every day so it was a great time.

“One of the reasons I've come back is to work with Stephen Kenny again. He's the best Manager in the country, he's proven that at such a high level and he's proven that he wins things in the League of Ireland.” 

The 30-year-old, signed on a multi-year deal, previously played five seasons at Richmond Park and during his time in Dublin 8 made two appearances shy of a century for the Athletic and of the current Saints squad only Chris Forrester, Jamie Lennon, Jay McClelland, Anto Breslin and skipper Joe Redmond have made more appearances for the club.

Hoare made 93 league appearances for Rovers scoring seven goals but he started only ten league games in 2024.

He worked with Kenny when Hoare departed for Dundalk in 2017 where he won two League of Ireland titles (2018 and 2019), two more League Cups (2017 and 2019) and two FAI Cups in a successful four year term at Oriel Park.

"Sean is high calibre player with an excellent attitude who will bring a lot to the dressing room and the club,” said Stephen Kenny.

“He is a great competitor and a good all round footballer, who makes a real impact in both boxes. He is comfortable at centre-back in the back three or back four too.”

Hoare is the latest signing by Kenny who, in recent weeks, secured the services of Simon Power and Barry Baggley. Anto Breslin, Danny Rogers, Jamie Lennon, Axel Sjoberg, Tom Grivosti, Romal Palmer, Jay McClelland and Ryan McLaughlin have all extended their deals with the Athletic prior to Christmas.   

"Having left the club at the end of the 2016 season, Sean has gone on to have a very successful career in the league," said Saints Director of Football Ger O'Brien.

"Having a player who knows what it's like to win leagues and cups is important for any group of players."

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— extratime.com (@extratime.com) 31 December 2024 at 13:35