Mark Doyle (footballer) explained

Mark Doyle
Birth Date:19 November 1998
Birth Place:Skerries, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Position:Winger
Striker
Currentclub:Rhode Island
Clubnumber:14
Youthclubs1:Skerries Town
Youthyears2:–2015
Youthclubs2:Glebe North
Youthyears3:2015–2017
Youthclubs3:Drogheda United
Years1:2016–2021
Clubs1:Drogheda United
Caps1:126
Goals1:47
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:St Patrick's Athletic
Caps2:63
Goals2:12
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Rhode Island
Caps3:18
Goals3:2
Club-Update:23:28, 5 August 2024 (UTC)

Mark Doyle (born 19 November 1998) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a winger or striker for USL Championship club Rhode Island, having previously spent six seasons at Drogheda United and two seasons with St Patrick's Athletic.

Club career

Youth career

A native of Skerries, County Dublin, Doyle began playing underage football with Skerries Town, before moving to Glebe North in nearby Balbriggan, later moving to Drogheda United where he progressed through their under-17's and under-19's sides to the first team in their 2015, 2016 & 2017 seasons.[1] [2]

Drogheda United

2016 season

Doyle made his debut in senior football on 22 February 2016 in a Leinster Senior Cup match against Bohemians at United Park.[3] His League of Ireland First Division debut came on 4 March 2016 when he came on as a late substitute in a 2–1 win over Waterford.[4] He made 8 first team appearances in all competitions over the season as his side won promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division.[5]

2017 season

On 1 February 2017, he scored his first goals at senior level when he scored a brace in a 5–1 win over Cabinteely in a pre-season friendly.[6] Doyle's first league start and first League of Ireland Premier Division appearance came on 7 April 2017 in a 2–1 win against Shamrock Rovers in which Doyle was named Man of the Match.[7] [2] His first competitive goal at senior level came on 13 August 2017 in a 4–0 win away to Evergreen in the FAI Cup First Round.[8] Doyle's first League of Ireland goal came on 29 September 2017, scoring a late consolation goal away to Derry City after coming on as an 80th minute substitute.[9] He ended the season with 2 goals in 16 appearances in all competitions as his side were relegated.[5]

2018 season

During pre-season, Doyle discharged himself from hospital to attend a training session with the team due to his determination to earn his place in the starting 11, training with the tube from an IV drip still in his hand following treatment for a serious chest infection.[10] He started the 2018 season off in fine form, scoring a brace in a 6–0 win in the opening game of the season against Athlone Town,[11] as well as goals in an 8–1 win away to Wexford[12] and a 2–2 draw with Galway United[13] to take his tally to 4 goals in the first 3 games of the season.[14] The season ended in disappointment for Drogheda as they missed out on promotion after being knocked out of the Play-Offs by Finn Harps at the semi-final stage.[15] Doyle scored 8 goals in 34 appearances in all competitions over the season.[5]

2019 season

Doyle scored as many as 4 braces over the course of the 2019 season to help his side to a second-placed finish.[16] Unfortunately for Doyle and Drogheda, they again tasted heartbreak as they were beaten in the 2019 League of Ireland Promorion/Relegation Play-Off Final by Finn Harps.[17] He made a total of 29 appearances in all competitions over the season, scoring 13 goals.[5]

2020 season

Doyle won the first medal of his senior career on 27 October 2020 when his side won the 2020 League of Ireland First Division title after a 2–0 win away to Cabinteely in the final game of the season.[18] Doyle scored an impressive 13 goals in 18 league games to help his side to the title.[5] On 1 November 2020, Doyle was named as Drogheda United Supporters' Player of the Year.[19] In December 2020, he was named PFAI First Division Player of the Year for the 2020 season as well as being named in the 2020 PFAI First Division Team of the Year by his fellow players.[20]

2021 season

On 20 August 2021, Doyle scored a brace in a 2–1 win in the Louth derby against Dundalk, a first win at Oriel Park in 9 years for Drogheda.[21] [22] [23] On 19 November 2021, he scored against Shamrock Rovers in the final game of the season, his 50th goal for the club in what turned out to be his final appearance for them.[24] [25] Doyle featured in all 37 of Drogheda's games over the 2021 season, scoring 13 league goals[5] to make him third top goalscorer in the division, behind Georgie Kelly and Danny Mandroiu.[26] Following his form in his first season back in the top flight, Doyle was reportedly attracting interest from Scottish Premiership side Motherwell, as well as League of Ireland Premier Division rivals St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne.[27] [28] [29] [30]

St Patrick's Athletic

2022 season

On 18 December 2021, it was announced that Doyle had signed for St Patrick's Athletic, following Drogheda United manager Tim Clancy to Inchicore for the 2022 season, becoming one of his first signings at the club.[31] [32] On 11 February 2022, he made his debut for the club in the 2022 President of Ireland's Cup against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium, scoring in the penalty shootout as his side lost 5–4 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[33] On 18 February 2022, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Shelbourne at Tolka Park in the opening game of the season.[34] On 14 March 2022, he scored a 25-yard half volley in a 2–0 win over UCD at Richmond Park.[35] On 1 July 2022, he scored the final goal in a 3–0 win over his former club Drogheda United at Richmond Park.[36] Doyle made his first appearance in European football on 21 July 2022 in a 1–1 draw with Slovenian side NŠ Mura in the UEFA Europa Conference League and was shown a straight red card in injury time for an off the ball incident.[37] On 9 September 2022 he opened the scoring in a 2–0 win away to his old club Drogheda United to help his team to their fifth consecutive win.[38] On 14 October 2022, he scored in a 3–1 win at home to Bohemians.[39] Doyle scored 5 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club.[5]

2023 season

Doyle's first goal of the 2023 season on 7 April 2023, scoring the final goal in a 4–0 win over Cork City at Richmond Park.[40] A week later on 14 April 2023, he scored what turned out to be the winning goal in a 3–2 win away to league leaders Bohemians at Dalymount Park.[41] Doyle opened the scoring away to Shamrock Rovers on 15 May 2023, in an eventual 3–2 defeat at Tallaght Stadium.[42] On 26 May 2023, he opened the scoring in a 2–1 win over Dundalk at Richmond Park.[43] On 5 June 2023, Doyle came off the bench in the 64th minute of a 4–1 win at home to Derry City and scored the final goal of the game in the 80th minute.[44] On 12 July 2023, his first European goal came when he scored in the 94th minute of a 2–1 loss against F91 Dudelange in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Europa Conference League at the Stade Jos Nosbaum.[45] On 29 September he secured all 3 points for his side in a 1–0 win away to Cork City, heading home a Jamie Lennon cross in the 77th minute at Turners Cross.[46] 9 days later he opened the scoring in a 2–0 win in the FAI Cup Semi-Final, again away to Cork City.[47] He scored in a third consecutive game on 20 October 2023, opening the scoring in a 2–0 win away to Bohemians.[48] On 12 November 2023, Doyle scored the equalising goal in an eventual 3–1 win for his side over Bohemians in the 2023 FAI Cup Final, at the Aviva Stadium.[49]

Rhode Island

Doyle signed for USL Championship club Rhode Island on November 21, 2023, as part of the expansion club's inaugural squad.[50] [51]

Career statistics

[5]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Drogheda United2016LOI First Division6000101080
2017LOI Premier Division151110000162
2018LOI First Division278201140348
201924122110202913
20201813101913
2021LOI Premier Division3613103713
Total1264772317014350
St Patrick's Athletic2022LOI Premier Division325101010355
20233175221003810
Total63126231107315
Rhode Island2024USL Championship1821000192
Total2076114431318023567

Honours

Club

Drogheda United

2020[18]

St Patrick's Athletic

2023

Individual

2020

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Mark Doyle. www.extratime.com.
  2. Web site: Doyle wants to make indelible Mark. independent.
  3. Web site: Leinster Senior Cup Report: Drogheda United 0 - 3 Bohemians. ExtraTime.com.
  4. Web site: League Report: Drogheda United 2 - 1 Waterford United. ExtraTime.com.
  5. Web site: Republic of Ireland - M. Doyle - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway. ie.soccerway.com.
  6. Web site: Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2017 Domestic Friendlies - Drogheda United -v- Cabinteely. www.extratime.com.
  7. Web site: League Report: Drogheda United 2 - 1 Shamrock Rovers. ExtraTime.com.
  8. Web site: FAI Cup Report: Evergreen 0 - 4 Drogheda United. ExtraTime.com.
  9. Web site: Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Live Updates - 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division - Derry City -v- Drogheda United. www.extratime.com.
  10. Web site: 'Now's the time to deliver' - Drogheda's Doyle on making a top flight impression. Michael. Scully. 19 March 2021. Irish Mirror.
  11. Web site: League Report: Drogheda United 6 - 0 Athlone Town. ExtraTime.com.
  12. Web site: Wexford 1-8 Drogheda United . ExtraTime . 16 March 2018 . 6 February 2022.
  13. Web site: League Report: Drogheda United 2 - 2 Galway United. ExtraTime.com.
  14. Web site: Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Mark Doyle. www.extratime.com.
  15. Web site: 'The Derry Pele' pulls the strings as Finn Harps advance in First Division play-off. Dave. Donnelly. The42. 19 October 2018 .
  16. Web site: Extratime.com - Extratime.ie - Mark Doyle. www.extratime.com.
  17. Web site: Finn Harps survive after extra-time nailbiter in promotion/relegation play-off. Alan. Foley. The42. November 2019 .
  18. News: Drogheda United finally on the up and up after dramatic night. Emmet. Malone. The Irish Times.
  19. Web site: Drogheda United Fans' – Player of The Year 2020. 1 November 2020.
  20. Web site: Jack Byrne named Player of the Year once again as Rovers scoop top gongs at PFAI awards. Emma. Duffy. The42. 9 December 2020 .
  21. Web site: Derby delight for Drogs as Doyle double downs Dundalk. James. Rogers. 20 August 2021. www.rte.ie.
  22. Web site: Mark Doyle double condemns Dundalk to relegation play-off spot. James. Rogers. 20 August 2021. Irish Examiner.
  23. Web site: DUNDALK FC 1-2 DROGHEDA UNITED. Gavin. McLaughlin. 20 August 2021. Dundalk Football Club.
  24. Web site: Champions Shamrock Rovers bring curtain down on Drogheda United's League of Ireland campaign. LMFM.
  25. Web site: Saints sign Mark Doyle from Drogheda. ExtraTime.com.
  26. Web site: Summary - Premier Division - Republic of Ireland - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway. ie.soccerway.com.
  27. Web site: Doyle: No concrete offer from Steelmen. independent. 30 November 2021 .
  28. Web site: Motherwell 'strongly considering' contract offer to 13-goal forward. Ben. Banks. 25 November 2021. Daily Record.
  29. Web site: Top scorer Mark Doyle says nothing concrete from Motherwell. independent. 30 November 2021 .
  30. Web site: Motherwell one of three sides plotting move for 13-goal winger - report. 26 November 2021.
  31. Web site: Doyle Delight For St Pat's. www.stpatsfc.com.
  32. Web site: Young defender Redmond joins Breslin and Doyle in signing with St Pat's. The42. Team. The42. 18 December 2021 .
  33. Web site: Memorable return for Jack Byrne as Shamrock Rovers beat Pat's on penalties. Paul. Fennessy. The42. 11 February 2022 .
  34. Web site: Saints sweep past Shels to open season in style. 18 February 2022. Ward. Johnny. RTÉ.ie.
  35. Web site: Eoin and Mark Doyle on target as St Patrick's Athletic down UCD to go top. David. Donnelly. 14 March 2022. DublinLive.
  36. Web site: TheJournal.ie - St Pat's put tough week behind them with win over Drogheda. www.the42.ie. July 2022 .
  37. News: Chris Forrester inspires revival as St Patrick's Athletic keep the tie alive. The Irish Times.
  38. Web site: Sub Mark Doyle rises to pounce for 10-man Saints. independent. 9 September 2022 .
  39. Web site: Saints continue European quest at raucous Richmond Park. Johnny. Ward. 14 October 2022. www.rte.ie.
  40. Web site: St Pat's run out comfortable 4-0 winners over Cork City. John. Fallon. 7 April 2023. Irish Examiner.
  41. Web site: St Pat's continue resurgence with win at leaders Bohs. 14 April 2023. www.rte.ie.
  42. Web site: Hoops edge Saints in derby thriller to retain top spot. Johnny. Ward. 15 May 2023. www.rte.ie.
  43. Web site: Carty the hero as 10-man St Pat's overcome Dundalk. Paul. Buttner. 26 May 2023. www.rte.ie.
  44. Web site: Saints revival continues apace as they thrash Derry. Jake. O'Donnell. 5 June 2023. www.rte.ie.
  45. Web site: Mark Doyle's late strike keeps struggling Saints alive in Conference qualifier. 13 July 2023. Independent.ie.
  46. Web site: Late goal from Doyle seals win for St Pat's over Cork City. Dylan O’. Connell. 29 September 2023. Irish Examiner.
  47. News: St Patrick's Athletic set up FAI Cup final showdown with Dublin rivals Bohemians. The Irish Times.
  48. Web site: St Pat's take giant step towards European place and keep faint title hopes alive with win at Bohemians. 20 October 2023. Independent.ie.
  49. Web site: FAI Cup final recap: Bohemians 1-3 St Pat's. James. Fenton. 12 November 2023. www.rte.ie.
  50. Web site: Rhode Island FC Signs Former St Patrick's Athletic Forward . November 21, 2023 . November 21, 2023 . www.rhodeislandfc.com.
  51. Web site: Duffy . Emma . November 21, 2023 . FAI Cup final goalscorer Doyle joins US club as St Pat's sign Kavanagh from Derry . November 25, 2023 . The 42 . en-IE.