Dundalk FC’s “best ever”

By Paul Byrne

HISTORy was made on Friday evening at Weavers Park in Drogheda as Dundalk FC’s Patrick Hoban scored the goal that officially made him the club’s all-time record goalscorer. Having equalled Joey Donnelly’s longstanding club goalscoring record with a hattrick against uCD earlier this month it was only a case of when and not if the Galway man would become the sole owner of the record.

And with the Lilywhites a goal down with thirteen minutes remaining, Hoban’s timing was as usual immaculate as he headed home the equaliser to confirm his place in the Dundalk FC record books.

And to cap a magnificent evening for both himself and the club, Hoban stepped up just three minutes later to slot home the winning goal via the penalty spot after winger Ryan O’Kane was hauled down in the box.

Speaking afterwards to Gavin McLaughlin from Dundalk FC, Hoban admitted that he couldn’t have picked a better place to break the longstanding record.

“yeah, I think so,” he said. “Away from home to Drogheda in the derby? you probably couldn’t get any better really. It’s a great feeling. It’s probably something I’m not going to be able to appreciate probably enough right now because I’m in mid-season but it’s a great

Late night café secure permanent home

DunDALK’S Late night Café committee are delighted to announce that we have secured permanent residency in An Táin Arts Centre. We begin our new journey on Thursday August 3rd 2023 from 7pm-11pm with a €5 admission fee which includes free refreshments, board games and a place to relax and unwind. It is envisaged to hold themed nights, debates and host special guests in the future.

It is hoped to host our nights on the first Thursday of every month with a different theme every month. The Café will be alcohol free and non-judgemental of those who wish to attend. We are here to lend a friendly listening ear.

All are welcome to join us on Thursday, August 3rd 2023, from 7pm in An Táin Arts Centre. We look forward to meeting you. For further information please go to our Facebook page: Late night Café.

honour.

“Like I said before, when I equalled it against uCD, it is a huge honour for myself, for my family, for everyone who supported me in the town, and for the boys that I have been playing with over the years too. It is a great feeling and I just want to say thank you to all of them.

Joey Donnelly is considered one of Dundalk’s finest ever players, making his debut in 1929 at home to Shelbourne. He would go on to play 519 times for Dundalk, scoring 142 goals which was a club record until that total was usurped by Hoban on Friday evening. Hoban took just 276 games over two spells with Dundalk to break the record having been signed from Mervue by Stephen Kenny back in 2013. After two successful seasons with Dundalk he moved to Oxford for the 2015/16 season before joining Mansfield a season later.

The Loughrea man returned to Oriel in 2018 and picked up where he had left off, scoring goals for fun as he finished the season as the league’s top goalscorer, helping Dundalk win the league and cup double in 2018. At the age of just 31, Hoban will hopefully be around to light up Oriel Park for a few more years to come and if he continues finding the back of the net it will be no time at all until we are lauding his 200th career goal for Dundalk.