Loughrea hurler sets sights on soccer big time

Forget Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal - for football enthusiasts in Loughrea there is only one cross-channel team captivating their attention these days, and that is English Championship side, Bristol City, for which their senior hurler Patrick Hoban has just signed.

Hoban, a 19-year-old midfielder who has secured a move from Mervue United to Bristol, says he is “over the moon” with the transfer cross-channel and he hopes it will not be long before he joins former England goalkeeper David James and ex-Bolton Wanderers defender Nicky Hunt in the first team line-up.

“I will go with the flow for the moment, but I would be hoping to break into the first team over the season. I played in a reserve game against Cheltenham Town (a 1-1 draw) on Tuesday and I played okay. I suppose, it was my first game in a while and fitness was a bit of an issue. We played a 4-3-3 formation against Cheltenham and I played in a midfield role.”

Hoban, who began his soccer career with Lakeside Celtic (Loughrea) and Ballinasloe Town, travels to a club that has had a colourful opening to its season.

See full story and interview in this week's Connacht Tribune.