Dundalk striker Hoban turns down trial with Kilmarnock

Pat Hoban with his SSE Airtricity / SWAI Player of the Month Award for October

Dundalk FC striker Pat Hoban has turned down the chance to go on trial with Scottish Premier Division side Kilmarnock.

The 23-year-old, who finished last season as the league’s joint-top goalscorer with Christy Fagan, refused the invite from the Rugby Park side after insisting that he had proved himself enough over the past two seasons with the Lilywhites not to have to audition for a contract at the East Ayrshire club.

“I don’t see why I should have to go on trial,” Hoban is quoted as saying by the Irish Independent.

“I have proved myself in two years in the league.

“For some reason the league doesn’t get enough credit – I don’t know why as we have done very well in Europe this year and I think the standard is quite high.

“I would go on trial obviously if it was a Championship or Premier League club. Who would refuse that? But when it is League One, League Two, SPL, no disrespect but I don’t see why I should have to go on trial if they had done their homework.

“I think we would beat most teams in League One in England and most teams in the SPL as well, so we should be getting a lot more credit than we are at the moment.”

The striker, named the SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month winner for October yesterday, said he had the option to remain at Oriel Park but admitted he was not going to rush the decision.

“Stephen (Kenny) is not putting that much pressure on me. Obviously he wants me to stay but it has to be the right move for me at the end of the day as I’m not getting any younger.”

Dundalk striker Hoban linked with Kilmarnock

Pat Hoban

Dundalk striker Pat Hoban is supposedly set for a trial with Scottish Premier Division outfit Kilmarnock next week according to reports this morning.

The 23-year-old, who bagged a club record 20 league goals this season, has received interest from a number of Irish sides since helping Dundalk to the league title last month. However, it is understood he will remain at Oriel Park providing he is still plying his trade in this country.

Hoban is up for the PFAI Player of the Year award, which will be given out in Dublin tomorrow night. Also nominated for the same prize is Richie Towell, who recently completed a trial with Cardiff City and is waiting on word as to whether the Bluebirds will be offering him a contract or not.

Meanwhile, Dundalk are understood to have told goalkeeper Peter Cherrie they will not be offering him a deal next season, bringing the Scottish netminder’s tenure with the club to an end after he initially signed in the summer of 2009.

Indeed, Cherrie is one of just two Dundalk players from last season’s title-winning squad on the PFAI’s transfer list along with Simon Kelly.