AFTER HELPING DUNDALK to win the Airtricity League, Hoban subsequently joined League Two side Oxford United last month.
The 23-year-old striker signed an 18-month deal with the club with the option of another year after scoring 20 goals last season, and is eligible to start playing for Michael Appleton’s side in January.
He has since been sent on loan to Blackpool, consequently making two appearances so far for the Championship strugglers, with injury problems currently restricting his game time.
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Rory Gaffney
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
After scoring 14 goals in 31 appearances for Limerick, Rory Gaffney agreed a move to Cambridge last month.
After impressing the club’s scouts, the League Two side secured the signature of the 25-year-old forward, with the player set to join officially once the transfer window opens in January.
3 LOI players who could soon be joining them in England
The Irish youngster has reportedly agreed an 18-month deal with Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich, after scoring 12 goals for Shelbourne last season, including one particularly memorable effort (see below).
QPR have been heavily linked with Ireland under-19 star, with newspaper reports recently claiming Harry Redknapp’s side were on the verge of completing a move for the 18-year-old.
Manning, who can play in midfield or attack, only joined Galway from Mervue United earlier this year, and has also been linked with a move to Tottenham.
Richie Towell
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
The PFAI Player of the Year nominee had a fine season as Dundalk were crowned league champions.
The ex-Celtic player had an unsuccessful trial with Cardiff back in October, yet his future is still uncertain and he is understood to still have suitors abroad, with Motherwell, Millwall and Blackpool all rumoured to be interested in the 23-year-old midfielder.
Which LOI players do you think are due a big move to England? Let us know in the comments section below.
3 LOI players who made the big move to England in 2014 and 3 who could be next
3 LOI players who made the big move this year
Patrick Hoban
AFTER HELPING DUNDALK to win the Airtricity League, Hoban subsequently joined League Two side Oxford United last month.
The 23-year-old striker signed an 18-month deal with the club with the option of another year after scoring 20 goals last season, and is eligible to start playing for Michael Appleton’s side in January.
Brian Lenihan
Signed by Hull at the end of the summer transfer window, the 20-year-old former Cork star clearly impressed the Ireland management after he was called up to the squad for the World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar, despite not playing for the Tigers yet.
He has since been sent on loan to Blackpool, consequently making two appearances so far for the Championship strugglers, with injury problems currently restricting his game time.
Rory Gaffney
After scoring 14 goals in 31 appearances for Limerick, Rory Gaffney agreed a move to Cambridge last month.
After impressing the club’s scouts, the League Two side secured the signature of the 25-year-old forward, with the player set to join officially once the transfer window opens in January.
3 LOI players who could soon be joining them in England
Dylan Connolly
The Irish youngster has reportedly agreed an 18-month deal with Mick McCarthy’s Ipswich, after scoring 12 goals for Shelbourne last season, including one particularly memorable effort (see below).
The underage star would join several other Irish players at the Championship club, including David McGoldrick, Daryl Muphy and Noel Hunt.
Ryan Manning
QPR have been heavily linked with Ireland under-19 star, with newspaper reports recently claiming Harry Redknapp’s side were on the verge of completing a move for the 18-year-old.
Manning, who can play in midfield or attack, only joined Galway from Mervue United earlier this year, and has also been linked with a move to Tottenham.
Richie Towell
The PFAI Player of the Year nominee had a fine season as Dundalk were crowned league champions.
The ex-Celtic player had an unsuccessful trial with Cardiff back in October, yet his future is still uncertain and he is understood to still have suitors abroad, with Motherwell, Millwall and Blackpool all rumoured to be interested in the 23-year-old midfielder.
Which LOI players do you think are due a big move to England? Let us know in the comments section below.
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2014 Brian Lenihan SSE Airtricity League Premier Division cross-channel League of Ireland LOI Patrick Hoban Sport Preview 2015 Sport Review 2014 Year in Review