Monthly recognition claimed by record-breaking individual Hoban in June
Dundalk's Patrick Hoban Crowned SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for June
Patrick Hoban, the prolific Irish footballer known for his goal-scoring abilities, has been named the SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month for June 2023. The announcement comes following a month of impressive performances that saw Hoban break records and lead Dundalk FC to several victories.
Hoban's tally in June was impressive, with only champions Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic scoring more goals than him. He ended the month with a header in Dundalk's 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers, a significant victory that moved Dundalk closer to the top two in the Premier Division.
The month began with a hat-trick from Hoban against UCD, starting a five-match winning streak for Dundalk. One of the standout moments of June was Hoban's double in three minutes during the Louth derby against Drogheda, a performance that turned the game around for Dundalk.
Hoban's goal-scoring success in June can be attributed to an increased focus on crosses into the box. Four of his six goals in June were headers, the most by any player this season. This impressive run saw Hoban become Dundalk's all-time record goalscorer, a feat he achieved with his 143rd goal for the club in the derby against Drogheda.
The shortlist for June's Player of the Month award also included Ben McCormack (St Patrick's Athletic), Sean Boyd (Shelbourne), and James Clarke (Bohemians). Hoban topped the Soccer Writers Ireland members' vote, with Shamrock Rovers' Rory Gaffney in second and Archie Davies of Dundalk in third.
Hoban has won the Player of the Month award four times, last in July 2018, and previously in July 2013 and November 2014. Only Richie Towell has won more Player of the Month awards while playing for Dundalk, with five wins.
Despite Hoban's impressive stats and achievements, it is not clear if he broke any additional records with his performances in June or if Dundalk won more games in June than the four previously mentioned, moving even closer to the top two in the Premier Division. Hoban did not mention any specific goal-scoring statistics in his interview, so it is not clear if he scored more than four headers or if he is the only player to score more than four headers this season.
Regardless, Patrick Hoban's June performances have solidified his status as one of the top goal-scorers in the League of Ireland, and fans will be eager to see what he achieves next.
Sports-analysis reveals that Patrick Hoban's head-dominated goal-scoring strategy in soccer, particularly during the month of June, significantly contributed to Dundalk FC's victories and his SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month award. Despite competing against notable players such as Ben McCormack, Sean Boyd, and James Clarke, Hoban's remarkable displays earned him the top spot in the members' vote.
