Saints return for LOI title winner who says Stephen Kenny is best manager in Ireland
After making 98 appearances for the Inchicore unit, he moved to Kenny's Dundalk and won two League titles with the Lilywhites - then joined Shamrock Rovers in 2021, winning three titles.
Sean Hoare says he is back playing for the best manager in the country in Stephen Kenny after returning to St Patrick's Athletic.
Hoare, 30, won a league as a squad player with the Saints in 2013 but was in the team they ended their 53-year FAI Cup wait the following season. He also won two EA Sports Cups with the club.
After making 98 appearances for the Inchicore unit, he moved to Kenny's Dundalk and won two League titles with the Lilywhites - then joined Shamrock Rovers in 2021, winning three titles.
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The vastly experienced centre-half made 12 League appearances for the Hoops last season. But Kenny, who is now the Saints' manager, wanted him back at Richmond Park and Hoare has left the Hoops now that his contract has expired.
"Look, I left the club at a bit of a transitional period," said Hoare of his initial departure from St Pat's. I went to Dundalk in 2017 and it went really well with Stephen, he was manager for two years and then went off to the international set-up, and I had a further two years with Dundalk.
"I went to Rovers in 2021 and just won a couple of titles there - I've just been enjoying where my career has taken me and it's interesting it's come full loop. I'm aiming for the same things here now.
"Stephen is the best manager in the country, he's proven that at such a high level and has managed at the pinnacle of football. He's managed the international team, he's proven time and again in this country that he wins things here."
Kenny describes Hoare as "high calibre player with an excellent attitude who will bring a lot to the dressing room and the club".
And Kenny added: "St Pat's played an important part in his life during his first spell and we're very happy that he's chosen to continue his career with us. Sean has achieved a lot in his career but he's still very hungry for future success."
Hoare said that it feels like the stars have aligned and that it's the right move for him. He commented: "The club is very similar in a way to when I left behind the scenes but, on the pitch, the trajectory the club is on, you could see it towards the end of last season, the lads were unstoppable.
"If we can continue that it would be great - the club seems to be in such a stable place at the moment. I feel lucky to be part of that and I feel right at home.
"The club did really well to secure a European spot for next season and it's always something you look forward to."
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