I’m just happy to be playing football – David Hoey
6 April 2002
From The Dundalk Democrat.
David Hoey is happy to be just playing football, never mind lining out in an FAI Cup final for his local club. The 24-year-old has overcome a serious illness which kept him out of football for almost an entire season to re-establish himself in the Dundalk side that he first joined in the 1995/96 season.
Great experience
“I played a couple of games under Dermot Keely in my first season, but it was Eddie May who put me in the side towards the end of the following season,” said David. “He played both myself and David Ward against Cork City at Oriel and despite a defeat, I held my place in the side for the remaining six games.
“I played in both the play-off games against Waterford and it was a great experience for me given my age. We won 3-1 on aggegate to keep our place in the Premier League and that was an added bonus”.
Where to play?
The following season, David was a regular in the side under Jim McLaughlin who had replaced May as Manager.
“Jim used to say to me that I was the first player to be named on the team sheet, but the last to be given a particular position,” laughed David. “Under Jim, I played in nearly every role bar ‘keeper and we had a fairly good League campaign. 2
In the final game of the season, Shelbourne came to Oriel only needing a draw to be crowned League Champions. The manager was aware that Mark Rutherford was the Shels dangerman and just before kick-off, he told me I was in at right-back to mark Rutherford.
“We won 2-1 in a fantastic match which was live on TV. It completed a great season for me as I scored ten goals and was a regular in the side.”
Illness takes over
But then things went horribly wrong for the Knockbridge lad. He took ill during a home game against Shelbourne and missed the entire season, save for a couple of games at the end of the campaign.
“I didn’t think I would ever play football again. It was a huge scare for myself and my parents, but thankfully after a long lay-off, I regained my strength and was able to play the final couple of games that season.
“It’s been a long haul, but thankfully the illness is all behind me now. They were dark days, and I am really grateful to be back playing football.”
Big occasion
David, who won an under-17 FAI Cup medal with Dundalk when he scored twice in a 3-1 win over Belvedere, is looking forward to Sunday’s final.
“If the semi-final is anything to go by, the final should be a fabulous experience. We’ve had a tough schedule, but we have a good panel of players, with a mixture of youth and experience and no way are we afraid of Bohemians”.
David, who played most of the season at right back before moving to midfield, does not care where he plays as long as he is in the side.
“I got injured before the Cup quarter-final against Finn Harps and John Whyte came in and has been superb. I thought I could lose out, but then Jonathan Prizeman took ill before the semi-final against Shamrock Rovers and I was picked on the right side of midfield.
“It will be a big occasion for the players on Sunday, a big day out for us all. We haven’t had much time to think about the final because of our busy schedule and that might be a help to us. Garry Haylock’s arrival made a huge difference and the other players responded in positive fashion.
Repeat result!
“We beat Bohs 3-1 earlier in the season and a repeat of that would do very nicely indeed. We have nothing to fear and I have a gut feeling we’ll be returning to town on Sunday evening with the Cup,” concluded David.
One of five local players likely to line up at Tolka, David has been through a lot – and even if the final doesn’t bring the result all Dundalk is hoping for, he can be said to have triumphed over adversity.
