Mark Doyle (footballer)

Mark Doyle

Personal information
Date of birth	(1998-11-19) 19 November 1998 (age 25)
Place of birth	Skerries, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s)	Winger Striker
Team information
Current team	Rhode Island
Number	14
Youth career
	Skerries Town
–2015	Glebe North
2015–2017	Drogheda United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2016–2021	Drogheda United	126	(47)
2022–2023	St Patrick's Athletic	63	(12)
2024–	Rhode Island	6	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:31, 26 April 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

As of match played 21 April 2024 ^[5]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National Cup [lower-alpha 1]		League Cup [lower-alpha 2]		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Drogheda United	2016	LOI First Division	6	0	0	0	1	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 3]	0	8	0
	2017	LOI Premier Division	15	1	1	1	0	0	—		0 [lower-alpha 3]	0	16	2
	2018	LOI First Division	27	8	2	0	1	1	—		4 [lower-alpha 4]	0	34	8
	2019		24	12	2	1	1	0	—		2 [lower-alpha 5]	0	29	13
	2020		18	13	1	0	—		—		—		19	13
	2021	LOI Premier Division	36	13	1	0	—		—		—		37	13
	Total		126	47	7	2	3	1	—		7	0	143	50
St Patrick's Athletic	2022	LOI Premier Division	32	5	1	0	—		1 [lower-alpha 6]	0	1 [lower-alpha 7]	0	35	5
	2023		31	7	5	2	—		2 [lower-alpha 6]	1	0 [lower-alpha 3]	0	38	10
	Total		63	12	6	2	—		3	1	1	0	73	15
Rhode Island	2024	USL Championship	6	0	1	0	—		–		0	0	7	0
Total			195	59	14	4	3	1	3	1	8	0	223	65

1. Includes FAI Cup & U.S. Open Cup
2. Includes League of Ireland Cup
3. Appearances in the Leinster Senior Cup
4. Appearances in the 2018 League of Ireland First Division Play-Offs
5. Appearances in the 2019 League of Ireland First Division Play-Offs
6. Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
7. Appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup

Honours

Club

Drogheda United

• League of Ireland First Division: 2020 ^[18]

St Patrick's Athletic

• FAI Cup: 2023

Individual

• PFAI First Division Player of the Year: 2020 ^[20]
• PFAI First Division Team of the Year: 2020
• Drogheda United Supporters' Player of the Year: 2020 ^[19]

References

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