St Pats’ Hoare has sights set on completing cup double

Sunday could turn out to be a giddy climax to an already landmark week for St Patrick’s Athletic centre-half Sean Hoare, who only yesterday graduated from NUI Maynooth with a degree in business and accounting.

And should Pat’s finally end their infamous FAI Cup jinx against Derry City at the Aviva, Hoare would also be able to celebrate a notable footballing double in 2014, having been named player of the tournament when captaining Maynooth to history back in February as the college lifted the Collingwood Cup for the first time.

The 20-year-old from Castleknock, Dublin – son of former Shamrock Rovers man Mick – came to the Inchicore club through their football scholarship at the university, impressing with the U19s before making his senior debut in 2013. This year, despite an injury setback, he has continued to rack up appearances and, according to manager Liam Buckley, is very much “in his thoughts” as he ponders his starting 11 for Sunday.