Graham Cummins: Patrick Hoban could be perfect fit for Cork City

IT certainly would be difficult but if Cork City want to find a quality replacement for Ruairi Keating then why not go after Patrick Hoban?

Although he has a year remaining on his contract with Dundalk, it seems the Lilywhites would be happy to let the striker leave this winter, and with such a shortage of goalscoring forwards available in the league, I think the least City should be doing is making contact with Hoban to see if there is any interest from his side in joining the club.

Some City fans will feel that because of the recent history between Dundalk and the Rebel Army, and Hoban’s involvement in it, that they would prefer the club to stay away from the 32-year-old but the way football works, were Hoban to arrive on Leeside and start scoring goals, then I’m sure all would be forgiving and supporters would soon be chanting his name.

Of course, City would not be the only interested party in Hoban should they pursue the striker, with Derry City and Galway United reportedly keen to snap up a player who scored 14 league goals last season.

Galway and Derry both have the attraction of Premier Division football to offer, with the latter also able to use European football when negotiating with a player.

I would assume that both clubs are in a stronger financial position than City when it comes to what sort of salary can be offered to Hoban.

So how can City compete for Hoban’s signature if they are interested in the player?

OFFER

At 32, Hoban knows that his career in football is coming to an end. If he enjoys playing, and wants to continue to do so for as long as possible, then one option for City is to offer the player a longer contract than what others might do.

I would imagine that were Hoban to leave Dundalk, Derry and Galway would be offering him a two-year deal, and if that were the case then City would have to offer a three-year contract.

By doing so, Hoban knows he has the security of knowing that he should have at least three more years left in his playing career playing at a high level and for one of the biggest clubs in the country.

I’m sure that some City fans are reading this shouting that three years is too long to offer a 32-year-old but when you consider the type of player Hoban is, then it’s not too much of a risk.

He’s not a player that has relied on his pace or has been quick to press defenders. What he is, is a goalscorer and probably the best at holding the ball up in the league.

If City created a team around Hoban where they would have quick wingers and ones that would deliver quality crosses into the box, then they would get the best out of Hoban no matter what age he is.

I think his passing ability is underrated and he would be capable of dropping back into midfield if required to do so.

I watched him in matches where he is getting on the ball in his own half and he is more than comfortable on it.

So if City did sign Hoban and felt he could no longer do a job up front in a couple of years, I do believe they could then transform him into a midfielder.

City might also be able to attract Hoban by telling him just how vital he will be to the team and how much he will be adored at the club. From reports coming out of Dundalk in recent times, it seems Hoban was unappreciated at the club. 

Perhaps he wants to go somewhere where he will be the main man. He certainly would be that at City, I’m not sure he would be at Galway or Derry.

Even though he has won many honours in the game, Hoban I’m sure will still be hungry to win more silverware.

Of course, there is the opportunity to do that at Derry or Galway, but there is no guarantee either club will win something in the time Hoban has left in his playing career.

With City, he is more or less guaranteed to win something next year, with the club in the First Division.

The Rebel Army should comfortably win the league with or without Hoban, but with him, they would stroll to the title.