Gavan Holohan

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Gavan Holohan

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1991|12|15}}{{Cite web |title=Gavan Holohan |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/player/gavan-holohan/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805152852/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/player/gavan-holohan/ |access-date=10 April 2021 |publisher=Hartlepool United F.C.|archive-date=5 August 2021 }}

| birth_place = Kilkenny, Ireland

| height = {{convert|1.78|m|order=flip}}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Crawley Town

| clubnumber = 8

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2008

| youthclubs1 = Kilkenny City

| youthyears2 = 2008–2012

| youthclubs2 = Hull City

| years1 = 2012–2013

| clubs1 = Alfreton Town

| caps1 = 0

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 2013–2014

| clubs2 = Drogheda United

| caps2 = 31

| goals2 = 6

| years3 = 2014–2016

| clubs3 = Cork City

| caps3 = 38

| goals3 = 3

| years4 = 2016–2017

| clubs4 = Galway United

| caps4 = 27

| goals4 = 6

| years5 = 2017–2018

| clubs5 = Waterford

| caps5 = 30

| goals5 = 5

| years6 = 2019–2022

| clubs6 = Hartlepool United

| caps6 = 94

| goals6 = 20

| years7 = 2022–2024

| clubs7 = Grimsby Town

| caps7 = 88

| goals7 = 11

| years8 = 2024–

| clubs8 = Crawley Town

| caps8 = 15

| goals8 = 1

| club-update = 22:33, 28 January 2025 (UTC)

}}

Gavan Holohan (born 15 December 1991) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|CrawleyT}} club Crawley Town.

Beginning his career as a youngster with Hull City, Holohan returned to his native Ireland where he featured for League of Ireland sides Drogheda United, Cork City, Galway United and Waterford. He joined Hartlepool United in 2019 and in 2021 he was part of their side that won promotion back to the Football League. He repeated the success the following season with Grimsby Town.

History

=Hull City=

Holohan came through the ranks with Kilkenny City in his native Ireland and was picked up by Hull City in 2008. He went on to spend the next four years with the Tigers but failed to make an appearance, only making the bench once for an FA Cup tie against Wigan Athletic.{{Cite web |date=8 January 2011 |title=Hull 2-3 Wigan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/9341896.stm |access-date=16 January 2020 |website=BBC Sport}}

=Alfreton Town=

Holohan was signed by Alfreton Town in 2012 following his release from Hull. He also trialled with Carlisle United and Hibernian.{{Cite web |date=23 November 2012 |title=Alfreton Town sign Danny Emerton and Gavan Holohan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20462202 |access-date=2 January 2020 |website=BBC Sport}}

=Drogheda United=

After being released by Alfreton, Holohan signed for League of Ireland side Drogheda United. Holohan enjoyed a successful campaign in the 2014 season, scoring 8 goals in 32 games and winning the supporters' player of the year award. He helped Drogheda progress to the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup by scoring 3 goals in 3 games but was one of three Drogheda players sent off in their exit against the eventual champions Derry City.{{Cite web |date=12 September 2014 |title=FAI Cup Quarter-Final: Drogheda United 2-2 Derry City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29165852 |access-date=16 January 2020 |website=BBC Sport}}

=Cork City=

In November 2014, Holohan left to sign for Cork City.{{Cite web |date=6 November 2014 |title=Talented midfielder Gavan Holohan makes move to Cork City |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2014/1106/657294-holohan-cork/ |access-date=2 January 2020 |website=rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ}} During his two years at Cork, Holohan won the FAI Cup in 2016 and scored in the President of Ireland's Cup final to help his side win 2–0.{{Cite web |date=27 February 2016 |title=President's Cup Report: Cork City 2-0 Dundalk |url=https://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/15880/presidents-cup-report-cork-city-2---0-dundalk/ |access-date=16 January 2020 |website=extratime.ie |publisher=Extratime}}

=Galway United=

Holohan later joined Galway United and scored his first career hat trick in a 4–1 win over his former side Drogheda United.{{Cite web |title=Holohan haunts hapless Drogs |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/holohan-haunts-hapless-drogs-35956204.html |access-date=2 January 2020 |website=independent.ie |date=22 July 2017 |publisher=Independent News & Media}}

=Waterford=

After suffering relegation with Galway United, Holohan signed for Waterford following their promotion to the top flight.{{Cite web |date=18 December 2017 |title=Waterford snap up Gavan Holohan from Galway United |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/1218/928223-waterford-snap-up-holohan-from-galway-united/ |website=rte.ie |publisher=RTÉ}} He helped the club finish fourth and while this would have qualified the club for the Europa League first qualifying round, Waterford were ruled by UEFA to have not passed the "three-year rule" as the club were reformed in 2016.{{Cite web |date=25 April 2019 |title=FAI confirm UEFA licence awarded to St Patrick's Athletic at expense of Waterford FC |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/fai-confirm-uefa-licence-awarded-to-st-patricks-athletic-at-expense-of-waterford-fc-38051271.html |access-date=26 April 2019 |website=Irish Independent}}

=Hartlepool United=

Holohan signed with English National League club Hartlepool United on a short-term contract in 2019.{{Cite web |date=16 April 2019 |title=Ace Ventura, international red tape & long-awaited opportunities - Gavan Holohan's Hartlepool United career so far |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united/ace-ventura-international-red-tape-long-awaited-opportunities-gavan-holohans-hartlepool-united-career-so-far-and-what-future-might-hold-irish-midfielder-119155 |access-date=2 January 2020 |website=hartlepoolmail.co.uk |publisher=JPIMedia}} Having had to wait for international clearance before being able to play, Holohan eventually broke into the first team and scored his first goal in English football in a 1–1 draw against Aldershot Town in April 2019, an equaliser which ultimately relegated his opponents.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2019 |title=Aldershot Town 1-1 Hartlepool United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47836352 |access-date=16 January 2020 |website=BBC Sport}} Holohan impressed in the seven games that he played and did enough to earn an extended contract.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2019 |title=Gavan Holohan Agrees New Pools Deal |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/gavan-holohan-agrees-new-pools-deal/ |access-date=16 January 2020 |website=hartlepoolunited.co.uk |publisher=Hartlepool United FC}}

In the 2019–20 season, Holohan scored nine goals and contributed seven assists.{{Cite news |last=Dominic Scurr |date=15 March 2020 |title=Hartlepool United goalscorer Gavan Holohan reflects on 1–1 draw at Sutton United and the 'weird feeling' as National League matches go ahead despite coronavirus outbreak |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-goalscorer-gavan-holohan-reflects-1-1-draw-sutton-united-and-weird-feeling-national-league-matches-go-ahead-despite-coronavirus-outbreak-2451030 |access-date=21 March 2021 |publisher=Hartlepool Mail}} Holohan then signed a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season due to this good form.{{Cite news |last=Dominic Scurr |date=13 March 2020 |title=Gavan Holohan signs new two year deal at Hartlepool United |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/gavan-holohan-signs-new-two-year-deal-hartlepool-united-2450471 |access-date=21 March 2021 |publisher=Hartlepool Mail}}

Holohan scored his 10th goal of the 2020–21 season in a 2–0 win against Notts County.{{Cite news |date=10 April 2021 |title=Hartlepool 2-0 Notts County |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56622177 |access-date=10 April 2021 |work=BBC Sport}} This goal was also his fourth consecutive goal after scoring against Stockport County, Dagenham & Redbridge, Boreham Wood, and Notts County respectively.{{Cite news |date=27 March 2021 |title=Stockport County 1-1 Hartlepool United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56466042 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |date=2 April 2021 |title=Hartlepool United 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56533160 |access-date=10 April 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |date=5 April 2021 |title=Boreham Wood 2-2 Hartlepool United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56560446 |work=BBC Sport}} He was awarded the League's Player of the Month award for April 2021.{{Cite web |date=10 May 2021 |title=National League's April Monthly Award Winners Revealed! |url=https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/national-leagues-april-monthly-award-winners-revea-65811 |website=www.thenationalleague.org.uk}} Holohan started in the 2021 National League play-off final as Hartlepool were promoted back to the Football League.{{Cite news |last=Pilnick |first=Brent |date=20 June 2021 |title=Hartlepool United returned to the English Football League as they beat Torquay United 5-4 on penalties, despite Gulls goalkeeper Lucas Covolan scoring a stoppage-time equaliser |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57457835 |access-date=8 August 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}

In August 2021, Holohan scored Hartlepool's first goal back in the Football League in a 1–0 victory over Crawley Town.{{Cite news |date=7 August 2021 |title=Hartlepool United 1-0 Crawley Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58036215 |access-date=8 August 2021 |work=BBC Sport}} In a 2–1 win over rivals Carlisle United, Holohan scored his final goal for Hartlepool.{{Cite news |title=Gavan Holohan - 2021/22 |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=58163 |access-date=25 March 2022 |publisher=Soccerbase}} This would subsequently be voted as League Two goal of the month for August.{{Cite news |last=Joe Ramage |date=24 September 2021 |title=Hartlepool United midfielder Gavan Holohan reacts after pipping rivals from Salford City and Bristol Rovers to scoop the League Two goal of the month award for Carlisle United strike |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-midfielder-gavan-holohan-reacts-after-pipping-rivals-from-salford-city-and-bristol-rovers-to-scoop-the-league-two-goal-of-the-month-award-for-carlisle-united-strike-3395552 |access-date=25 March 2022 |publisher=Hartlepool Mail}} Holohan struggled for game time during the 2021–22 season and departed after making 108 appearances and scoring 23 times.{{Cite news |last=Richard Mennear |date=22 March 2022 |title=Gavan Holohan reacts after leaving Hartlepool United for Grimsby Town on two-year deal |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/gavan-holohan-reacts-after-leaving-hartlepool-united-for-grimsby-town-on-two-year-deal-36 |access-date=25 March 2022 |publisher=Hartlepool Mail}}

=Grimsby Town=

On 22 March 2022, Holohan signed a two-year deal with National League side Grimsby Town.{{Cite news |date=22 March 2022 |title=Mariners Secure Holohan Signing |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/mariners-secure-holohan-signing/ |access-date=22 March 2022 |publisher=Grimsby Town FC}} On 23 May 2022, with Grimsby trailing 1-0 to Notts County in the National League play-offs in the final minute of added on time, Holohan scored an equaliser to send the game to extra time, with Grimsby going on to win the game 2-1 and advancing to the semi-finals.{{Cite news |date=25 May 2022 |title=Max Crocombe's 'striker' claims laughed off by Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/goalkeeper-max-crocombes-striker-claims-7121247 |work=Grimsbylive}}

Holohan played in the 2022 National League play-off final as Grimsby beat Solihull Moors 2–1 at the London Stadium to return to the Football League.{{Cite news |date=5 June 2022 |title=Grimsby Town player ratings as McAtee and four others star in Solihull comeback |url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/grimsby-town-ratings-solihull-moors-7167271 |work=Grimsbylive}} During an FA Cup fourth round tie at Championship side Luton Town, Holohan scored the opening goal in a 2–2 draw.{{Cite news |date=28 January 2023 |title=Clifton earns Grimsby deserved replay with Luton |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64438673 |access-date=30 January 2023 |work=BBC Sport}}

On 1 March 2023, he scored two penalties in a 2–1 victory at Premier League side Southampton in the fifth round of the FA Cup, securing Grimsby's first quarter-final appearance since 1939.{{Cite news |date=1 March 2023 |title=Southampton 1–2 Grimsby Town |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64799742 |access-date=1 March 2023 |work=BBC Sport}}

Holohan was released at the end of the 2023–24 season.{{Cite web |date=30 April 2024 |title=Retained and Released List 2023/24 |url=https://gtfc.co.uk/retained-and-released-list-2023-24/ |access-date=30 April 2024 |website=gtfc.co.uk}}

=Crawley Town=

Holohan joined Crawley on a free transfer in July 2024 after his release from Grimsby Town joining former teammate Toby Mullarkey, also from Grimsby, who joined on the same day.{{Cite web |date=9 July 2024 |title=Holohan Signs for Crawley |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2024/july/09/gavan-holohan-joins-lindsey-s-reds/ |access-date=9 July 2024 |publisher=Crawley Town F.C.}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !rowspan="2"\|Division !colspan="2"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Drogheda United \|2013 \|LOI Premier Division \|4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2014 \|LOI Premier Division \|27	5	3	3	2	0	0	0	32	8
colspan="2"\|Total !31\|\|5\|\|3\|\|3\|\|2\|\|0\|\|0\|\|0\|\|36\|\|8
rowspan="3"\|Cork City \|2015 \|LOI Premier Division \|18	1	1	0	1	0	0	0	20	1
2016 \|LOI Premier Division \|20	2	2	0	2	1	3	1	27	4
colspan="2"\|Total !38\|\|3\|\|3\|\|0\|\|3\|\|1\|\|3\|\|1\|\|47\|\|5
Galway United \|2017 \|LOI Premier Division \|27	6	1	0	3	1	0	0	31	7
Waterford \|2018 \|LOI Premier Division \|30	5	1	1	2	0	0	0	33	6
rowspan="5"\|Hartlepool United \|2018–19 \|National League \|7	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	1
2019–20 \|National League \|29	8	4	1	0	0	0	0	34	9
2020–21 \|National League \|39	9{{efn\|Holohan's goal against Aldershot Town on 3 October 2020 has been incorrectly attributed to Rhys Oates on Soccerway and Soccerbase.{{Cite web\|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54305874\|title=Hartlepool 2-1 Aldershot Town\|website=BBC Sport\|date=3 October 2020\|access-date=30 August 2024}}}}	2	1	0	0	4	1	45	11
2021–22 \|League Two \|18	2	4	0	0	0	0	0	22	2
colspan="2"\|Total !94	20	10	2	0	0	4	1	108	23
rowspan="4"\|Grimsby Town \|2021–22 \|National League \|9	2	0	0	0	0	3	1	12	3
2022–23 \|League Two \|39	6	7	3	2	0	3	0	51	9
2023–24 \|League Two \|40	3	2	0	1	0	1	0	44	3
colspan="2"\|Total !88	11	9	3	3	0	7	1	107	14
Crawley Town \|2024–25{{soccerbase season\|58163\|2024\|access-date=30 August 2024}} \|League One \|15	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	18	1
colspan="3"\|Career total !323\|\|51\|\|29\|\|9\|\|13\|\|2\|\|15\|\|3\|\|380\|\|65

Honours

Cork City

FAI Cup: 2016{{Cite news |last=Rob Wright |date=6 November 2016 |title=Recap: FAI Cup final |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/1106/829569-updates-fai-cup-final/ |access-date=8 August 2021 |publisher=RTE}}

Hartlepool United

National League play-offs: 2021{{Cite news |last=Pilnick |first=Brent |date=20 June 2021 |title=Hartlepool United 1–1 Torquay United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57457835 |access-date=20 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}

Grimsby Town

National League play-offs: 2022{{Cite news |last=Chris Peddy |date=4 June 2022 |title=Grimsby beat Solihull Moors to seal EFL return |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61628696 |access-date=21 January 2023 |work=BBC Sport}}

Individual

Drogheda United Supporters' Player of the Year: 2014{{Cite web |date=6 November 2014 |title=Cork City Announce Signing Of Gavan Holohan From Drogheda United |url=https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/cork-city-announce-signing-gavan-4578847 |access-date=16 January 2020 |website=irishmirror.ie |publisher=Irish Mirror}}
National League Player of the Month: April 2021