Eoin Toal
{{Short description|Northern Irish footballer (born 1999)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Eoin Toal
|image =
|image_size =
|caption =
|full_name =
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|2|15|df=y}}
|birth_place = Armagh, Northern Ireland
|height = {{convert|1.91|m|order=flip}}{{Soccerway|eoin-toal/426545|}}
|position = Defender
|currentclub = Bolton Wanderers
|clubnumber = 18
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 = Armagh City
|years1 = 2015–2017
|clubs1 = Armagh City
|caps1 =
|goals1 =
|years2 = 2017–2022
|clubs2 = Derry City
|caps2 = 140
|goals2 = 5
|years3 = 2022–
|clubs3 = Bolton Wanderers
|caps3 = 81
|goals3 = 9
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 = Northern Ireland U15
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|nationalyears2 = 2015
|nationalteam2 = Northern Ireland U17
|nationalcaps2 = 3
|nationalgoals2 = 0
|nationalyears3 = 2017
|nationalteam3 = Northern Ireland U19
|nationalcaps3 = 3
|nationalgoals3 = 1
|nationalyears4 = 2019–2020
|nationalteam4 = Northern Ireland U21
|nationalcaps4 = 13
|nationalgoals4 = 0
|nationalyears5 = 2023–
|nationalteam5 = Northern Ireland
|nationalcaps5 = 6
|nationalgoals5 = 0
|club-update = 08:23, 16 March 2025 (UTC)
|nationalteam-update = 19:03, 24 June 2024 (UTC)
}}
Eoin Toal (born 15 February 1999) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for {{English football updater|BoltonWa}} club Bolton Wanderers and the Northern Ireland national team.
Early and personal life
Toal was born in Armagh. One of his uncles, Peter Rafferty, and one of his cousins, Ethan Rafferty, played for Armagh in Gaelic football. Peter later managed Armagh U21 to All-Ireland glory in 2004. Eoin himself played Gaelic football until the age of 14, deciding instead to switch to association football. Another uncle, Mickey Toal, and another cousin, Thomas Mackle, both played Irish road bowling, with Mickey considered a legend in the sport, whilst Thomas has won the All-Ireland Championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2022/07/22/news/_huge_congratulations_to_our_very_own_eoin_toal_armagh_club_grange_in_tribute_as_former_player_seals_switch_to_bolton_wa-2778260/|title="Huge congratulations to our very own Eoin Toal..." Armagh club Grange in tribute as former player seals switch to Bolton Wanderers|first=Andy|last=Watters|date=22 July 2022|website=The Irish News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/footballsoccer/2021/02/10/news/from-grange-to-the-brandywell-new-derry-city-skipper-eoin-toal-does-things-his-own-way-2215660/|title=From Grange to the Brandywell: New Derry City skipper Eoin Toal does things his own way|first=Andy|last=Watters|date=10 February 2021|website=The Irish News}}
Club career
Toal began his career with Armagh City, captaining the youth team and making his first-team debut in 2015 aged 16, making over 50 appearances for the club in all competitions, before moving to Derry City in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://armaghi.com/sport/football/our-man-from-armagh-bolton-wanderers-sign-former-city-player-eoin-toal/176412|title='Our man from Armagh' – Bolton Wanderers sign former City player Eoin Toal|first=Oran|last=Darragh|website=Armagh I}} He served as club captain for Derry City, making 155 appearances for the club in all competitions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/eoin-toal-joins-bolton-wanderers-24544115|title=Ex-Northern Ireland Under 21 defender seals move to Bolton Wanderers|first=Gareth|last=Fullerton|date=20 July 2022|website=BelfastLive}} He started and played in the 2019 League of Ireland Cup final, and even converted one of the penalties in the penalty shootout, but it wasn't enough as they lost to Dundalk.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0914/1075974-dundalk-bag-ea-sports-cup-after-shootout-win-over-derry/|title=Dundalk bag EA Sports Cup after shootout win over Derry|first=Kevin|last=McLaughlin|date=14 September 2019|via=www.rte.ie}}
Toal signed for Bolton Wanderers in July 2022 on a three-year contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/bolton-confirm-signing-of-eoin-toal-from-derry-city-on-three-year-deal-41855606.html|title=Bolton confirm signing of Eoin Toal from Derry City on three-year deal|website=independent}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62239764|title=Bolton sign defender Toal from Derry City|website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/20293722.bolton-wanderers-sign-eoin-toal-derry-city---can-expect/|title=Just what can we expect from Wanderers defensive 'project' Eoin Toal?|website=The Bolton News}}{{cite web | url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/20292275.ian-evatts-first-words-new-bolton-wanderers-signing-eoin-toal/ | title='Eoin ticks all the boxes' - Evatt's delight at new defensive signing Toal }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/toal-bolton-derry-transfer-interview-24544145|title=Toal's first words as Bolton player after Derry City transfer|first=John|last=McDougall|date=20 July 2022|website=Manchester Evening News}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/derry-city-captain-eoin-toal-completes-move-to-bolton-wanderers-3776009|title="I want to wish him every success at his new club and in his career going forward."|website=www.derryjournal.com}} It was reported in 2024 that Bolton paid £50,000 for the defender.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/24161768.bolton-wanderers-eoin-toal-signs-new-contract-extension/|title=Eoin Toal 'proud' to sign three-year contract extension at Bolton Wanderers|date=4 March 2024|website=The Bolton News}}
Toal picked up an ankle injury towards the end of his time at Derry, choosing to play through the injury as he did not want to miss their matches in the UEFA Europa Conference League against Riga. In doing so, he worsened the injury which caused him to miss Bolton's pre-season, as well as the start of their season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23152568.bolton-wanderers-eoin-toals-admission-europe-quest-derry-city/|title=How Eoin Toal's European dream hindered his early Wanderers career|website=The Bolton News}} Upon his return from injury, he played for Bolton's B team to build up match fitness.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/toal-ready-for-b-team-bow/|title=Toal Ready For B Team Bow|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/eoin-toal-plays-45-minutes-145341182.html|title=Eoin Toal plays 45 minutes as Wanderers' B Team lose against Blackpool|website=uk.sports.yahoo.com}} He then stepped up his recovery by playing matches in the EFL Trophy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bwfc.co.uk/news/2022/august/toal-revels-in-trophy-taster/|title=Toal Revels In Trophy Taster|website=www.bwfc.co.uk}} After more matches for the B team, as well as the EFL Trophy, Toal made his Football League debut on 2 December 2022 in a 1–1 draw against Bristol Rovers,{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63752085|title=Bolton Wanderers 1-1 Bristol Rovers|website=BBC Sport}} with Toal being praised for his performance.{{Cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bolton-ups-downs-bristol-rovers-25664870|title=Four ups & two downs for Bolton from Bristol Rovers draw|first=John|last=McDougall|date=3 December 2022|website=Manchester Evening News}} Three weeks later he scored his first Bolton goal, scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Lincoln City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23221625.lincoln-city-1-1-bolton-wanderers---ian-evatts-post-match-verdict/|title=MATCH REACTION: Ian Evatt gives his verdict on Wanderers' 1-1 draw at Lincoln|website=The Bolton News}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64072771|title=Lincoln City 1-1 Bolton Wanderers|website=BBC Sport}} He received praise from his teammates for how well he had played during the start of his Bolton career{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23167862.bolton-wanderers-gethin-jones-high-praise-league-one-debutant/|title='Unbelievable!' - Jones gives credit to Toal after League One debut|website=The Bolton News}} and was named Bolton Player of the Month for December 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/OfficialBWFC/status/1613167530012512256|title=Your @bolton_kia Player of the Month for December is Eoin Toal. Well deserved, @Eointoal7!}} On 2 April, he started in the 2023 EFL Trophy final which Bolton won 4–0 against Plymouth Argyle.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65088981 |title=Bolton Wanderers 4–0 Plymouth Argyle |first=Brent |last=Pilnick |website=BBC Sport |date=2 April 2023 |access-date=2 April 2023}} He was forced off towards the end of the match after a challenge by Sam Cosgrove, with Bolton manager Ian Evatt accusing Cosgrove of injuring him on purpose. A few days later, it was revealed the injury would possibly keep Toal out for the rest of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23437553.bolton-wanderers-eoin-toal-likely-miss-rest-league-one-season/|title=TEAM NEWS: Eoin Toal likely to miss rest of League One season|website=The Bolton News}} Toal recovered much earlier than expected though, allowing him to return for Bolton's last few games of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23486579.bolton-wanderers-boss-welcomes-eoin-toal-back-fleetwood-clash/|title=TEAM NEWS: Defender set to return for Wanderers in must-win Fleetwood clash|website=The Bolton News}} On 4 March 2024, he signed a new three-year contract with Bolton.
International career
Toal first played international football with the Northern Ireland under-15 team. He later played three times for the under-17 team in 2015, three times for the under-19 team in 2017, and 13 times for the under-21 team between 2019 and 2020. He scored one goal during this time, on 7 October 2017 in a 7–1 defeat against Germany under-19.{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/eoin-toal/4/|title=Eoin Toal » Internationals|website=worldfootball.net}} He captained the under-21 team on multiple occasions.
On 7 March 2023, he received his first call-up to the Northern Irish senior national team by manager Michael O'Neill, for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against San Marino and Finland.{{Cite web |date=7 March 2023 |title=Michael O'Neill names Northern Ireland squad for opening Euro qualifiers |url=https://www.irishfa.com/news/2023/march/michael-oneill-names-northern-ireland-squad-for-opening-euro-qualifiers |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=IFA |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Dan |date=7 March 2023 |title=Wanderers defender Eoin Toal earns first Northern Ireland call-up |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/23368323.northern-ireland-squad-full-eoin-toal-earns-first-call-up/ |access-date=19 March 2023 |website=The Bolton News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64883120|title=Who are O'Neill's four uncapped NI call-ups?|website=BBC Sport}} His debut came seven months later on 17 October when he started in a 1–0 qualifier defeat against Slovenia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12982370/northern-ireland-0-1-slovenia-shea-charles-sent-off-for-home-side-as-group-h-leaders-win-at-windsor-park|title=Northern Ireland 0-1 Slovenia: Shea Charles sent off for home side as Group H leaders win at Windsor Park|website=Sky Sports}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 15 March 2024}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="7"|Derry City
|2017 |League of Ireland Premier Division |3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2018
|League of Ireland Premier Division |30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 1 | ||
| 2019
|League of Ireland Premier Division |35 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 41 | 2 | ||
| 2020
|League of Ireland Premier Division |18 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | 21 | 1 | ||
| 2021
|League of Ireland Premier Division |34 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 36 | 1 | |||
| 2022
|League of Ireland Premier Division |20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League}} | 0 | 22 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!140 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 155 | 6 | |
| rowspan="4"|Bolton Wanderers
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|105812|2022|accessdate=31 August 2022}} |22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9{{efn|Seven appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances in the League One play-offs}} | 0 | 31 | 3 | |
| 2023–24{{soccerbase season|105812|2023|accessdate=5 August 2023}}
|League One |40 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7{{Efn|Four appearances in EFL Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League One play-offs}} | 1 | 51 | 5 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|105812|2024|accessdate=18 August 2024}}
|League One |19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1{{efn|One appearance in the EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 22 | 2 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!81 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 104 | 10 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total
!221 | 14 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 259 | 16 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 15 October 2024}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/eoin-toal/|title=Eoin Toal|website=worldfootball.net}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=2|Northern Ireland
|2023 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 5 | 0 | |
| colspan=2|Total||8||0 |
Honours
References
{{reflist}}
{{Bolton Wanderers F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Toal, Eoin}}
Category:Association footballers from County Armagh
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Armagh City F.C. players
Category:Derry City F.C. players
Category:Bolton Wanderers F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Sportspeople from Armagh (city)
Category:Northern Ireland men's under-21 international footballers