Seán Hoare (footballer)

Seán Hoare (born 15 March 1994) is an Irish professional footballer playing for League of Ireland club, St Patrick's Athletic.

Career

St Patrick's Athletic

Under 19s

Hoare signed with St Patrick's Athletic's Under 19s in the summer of 2012. He signed on to the scholarship scheme between NUI Maynooth and St Patrick's Athletic.^[1] Hoare's first involvement with the first team squad came on the 1st October 2012 when he was an unused substitute in a 5–0 win over UCD.^[2]

2013 season

Hoare made his first team debut on the 4th June 2013 in a 2–0 AET win over Longford Town in the Leinster Senior Cup Quarter Final at Richmond Park.^[3] His next appearance was a Dublin derby away to Shamrock Rovers in the quarter final of the League Cup.^[4] Hoare also played in the Leinster Senior Cup Semi Final win away to Shelbourne^[5] and also in the final at Richmond Park as Pats were runners up to Shamrock Rovers.^[6] Although he didn't make any League of Ireland appearances, manager Liam Buckley ensured all players in the squad received winners medals, as the club lifted their ninth league title on the 18th October 2013 against Derry City.

Collingwood Cup

As part of the scholarship scheme between Pats and NUI Maynooth, Hoare would play for NUI Maynooth FC, the university's football team as well as his club's under 19 side. St Patrick's Athletic captain Ger O'Brien was appointed as manager of the Kildare college's football side, with Pats goalkeeper Brendan Clarke brought in as his assistant before the annual football competition between universities and colleges the Collingwood Cup of 2014. O'Brien organised a friendly against Pats' first team and Hoare impressed manager Liam Buckley as Maynooth lost 2–1.^[7] Hoare was made captain of the college side and scored the winner as they knocked out tournament favourites UCD in the quarter final by a 2–1 scoreline.^[8] After knocking UCC in the semi final, Hoare's NUIM side would face NUIG in the final at the UCD Bowl, live on Setanta Sports. Hoare captained his side to a 2–1 victory to win Maynooth's first ever Collingwood Cup and he was named as Player of the Tournament after the game.^[9]

2014 season

Hoare was involved in the first team's pre-season training for the first time, in late January/early February 2014, taking part in the teams friendly games before playing in the Collingwood Cup with NUI Maynooth FC. Hoare signed his first professional contract and was given the squad number 20 before the season started.^[10] His first appearance of the season was a 2–0 defeat to Sligo Rovers.^[11] On the 28th of March 2014, as Pats were away to Derry City, Ken Oman picked up a groin injury in the 29th minute and was replaced by Hoare who was making his League of Ireland debut. He marked the previous season's top goalscorer Rory Patterson and contributed towards a clean sheet as the Saints drew 0–0. After a poor 4–1 defeat at home to Dundalk, Derek Foran was replaced by Hoare for the away trip to Bray Wanderers^[12] and his performance was praised by both sets of supporters and the media after the game. Hoare maintained his place at Centre back alongside Kenny Browne for the visit of Shamrock Rovers and put in a Man-of-the-match performance as Pats beat their arch rivals 1–0, earning Hoare huge praise from supporters on social media and making it into many website's Team of the Week section.^[13] Following this performance, Hoare became a mainstay in the starting eleven alongside Browne, even when Ken Oman and Derek Foran return from injury, such was the defensive solidity of the Saints back five of Brendan Clarke, Ger O'Brien, Hoare, Browne and Ian Bermingham. On the 30th May 2014, Hoare scored his first goal for Pats in a 5–2 win over Derry City at Richmond Park, when he headed a Killian Brennan freekick into the top right corner in the 48th minute.^[14] Hoare picked up an ankle injury on 6th June in a 3–0 win over St. Patrick's CY in the FAI Cup^[15] This injury would rule him out of the next six competitive games but Hoare made his comeback on 23rd of July when he came on from the bench to replace the injured Ger O'Brien at right-back against Legia Warsaw in the Champions League, his debut in European competitions.^[16] Hoare returned to the starting eleven three days later for the trip to Athlone Town and helped his side to a clean sheet as well as scoring the second goal to secure a 2–0 win.^[17] On the 5th October 2014, Hoare scored in the FAI Cup Semi Final at home to Finn Harps, when he headed home from a corner to restore Pats' lead in the 37th minute before they ran out 6–1 winners to book a place in the final at the Aviva Stadium.^[18] Hoare was a part of the starting eleven that wrote themselves into St Patrick's Athletic history by beating Derry City 2–0 to end the club's hoodoo by winning the FAI Cup for the first time in 53 years, on the 2nd November 2014 at the Aviva Stadium in front of a crowd of just over 17,000.^[19] As well as being called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21s, He was voted the St Patrick's Athletic Young Player of the Year following an excellent 2014 season.^[20] In November 2014, Hoare impressed on trial with Premier League side Hull City.^[21]

2015 season

It was announced on the 15th January 2015 that Hoare changed his squad number once again, this time to first XI number, number 5.^[22] Amidst from interest in Hoare from such English clubs as Hull City, MK Dons and Millwall, St Patrick's Athletic held onto their man as the English transfer window closed on February 2nd. Hoare was given the honour of captaining the Republic of Ireland under-21's against the Republic of Ireland Ametuer International's on 21st February 2015.^[23] He made his first President's Cup appearance on the 28th February as the Saints finished runners up following a 2–1 loss to Dundalk at Oriel Park.^[24]

International Career

Hoare was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-21 team for the first time, on 5th November 2014 by manager Noel King for the friendlies against United States under-21 and Russia under-21, following an excellent debut season in the League of Ireland.^[25] He made his debut for the under-21s on the 17th of November 2014 when he came on as a substitute in the 73rd minute against Russia under-21 in a 2–2 draw at the Marbella football centre.^[26] His second appearance came on the 21st February 2015 when he captained the side against the Republic of Ireland Ametuer International's.^[27]

Honours

St Patrick's Athletic

• League of Ireland (1): 2013
• FAI Cup (1): 2014
• FAI President's Cup (1): 2014
• Leinster Senior Cup (1): 2014

NUI Maynooth FC

• Collingwood Cup (1): 2014^[9]

Individual

• St Patrick's Athletic Young Player of the Year: 2014
• Collingwood Cup Player of the Tournament (1): 2014^[9]

Career statistics

Professional appearances – correct as of 30 April 2015.^[28]

'Europe' refers to UEFA Europa League in 2012, 2013 and 2015 and UEFA Champions League in 2014.

References

External links

• "Republic of Ireland - S. Hoare - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". ie.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2014-04-27. 
• "Player Profiles". stpatsfc.com. Retrieved 2014-04-27.