Saints striker Eoin Doyle hangs up his boots

St Pat's striker Eoin Doyle has retired with immediate effect, the club has announced.

In a statement Doyle said he was calling time on his career mid-season for personal reasons.

An Ireland U-15 international, 35-year-old Dubliner Doyle played for Shelbourne, Cherry Orchard and Crumlin United in his youth but made his League of Ireland debut with Shamrock Rovers in 2007.

He moved to Sligo Rovers in 2009, winning back-to-back FAI Cups and moving to Hibernian in Scotland after finishing 2011 as the League of Ireland's top scorer with 25 goals.

Doyle was a cup runner-up with Hibs before moving to League Two side Chesterfield, where he scored 38 goals in 84 games.

He then played for Cardiff City and Preston North End in the Championship before successful spells at Oldham, Bradford, Swindon Town and Bolton.

Doyle returned home to play for St Pat's in 2022 on what was expected to be a three-year deal, scoring 18 goals in 63 games during his 18 months with the Saints.

He came off the bench in the Inchicore side's most-recent league game, the 1-1 draw with Cork City at Richmond Park earlier this month but missed last weekend's FAI Cup win at Longford Town.

Doyle said: "I'd like to thank everyone at St Patrick's Athletic and all of my previous clubs as well as all of my managers, coaches, team-mates, club staff, supporters and everyone who has played a part in my career across the last 20 years.

"I've had a wonderful 18 months at St Patrick's Athletic and I'll always be grateful to the club for bringing me home and giving me an opportunity to play in the League of Ireland again.

"I'll have some great memories of my time in Inchicore, especially the European nights last year and some big league wins in front of brilliant crowds.

"I wish