League's top goalscorer Patrick Hoban to miss remainder of Dundalk's season following ankle surgery
Patrick Hoban in action Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)
Dundalk manager Filippo Giovagnoli has confirmed that top scorer Patrick Hoban will miss the rest of the season as he prepares to undergo ankle surgery on Monday.
The Italian revealed the news following the Lilywhites’ 4-1 win over Bohemians on Friday night, which set up an FAI Cup semi-final tie away to Athlone Town next Sunday.
Hoban scored ten goals during the shortened 18-game league season, one more than Shamrock Rovers' Jack Byrne.
“I want to dedicate this win to Patrick Hoban because he will have surgery on Monday but also because he had some good news, he had a newborn daughter on Thursday,” said Giovagnoli.
“This victory is for him and we hope to have him back soon.”
Hoban was replaced in the starting line-up by his deputy David McMillan, who scored twice and set up another in the emphatic victory over the Gypsies, who pipped them to second in the league.
With the Lilywhites set to face Rapid Wien on Thursday in their fourth Europa League group stage game, McMillan is set to play a starring role in the final four or five games.
Giovagnoli added: “David had a great performance. His finishing was really sharp. He had 11 days of training before the game and he was really good. WIth Pat injured, he will be a big player for us.”
