Kevin Doyle (footballer)
{{Short description|Irish footballer (born 1983)}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = Kevin Doyle
|image = Kevin Doyle at Avaya (cropped).jpg
|upright =
|caption = Doyle playing for the Colorado Rapids in 2017
|fullname = Kevin Edward Doyle{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 | year = 2009 | publisher = Mainstream Publishing | isbn = 978-1-84596-474-0}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1983|9|18}}
|birth_place = Adamstown, County Wexford, Ireland
|position = Forward
|currentclub =
|youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Wexford
|youthyears2 = 2002 |youthclubs2 = St Patrick's Athletic
|years1 = 2002–2003 |clubs1 = St Patrick's Athletic |caps1 = 13 |goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2003–2005 |clubs2 = Cork City |caps2 = 76 |goals2 = 25
|years3 = 2005–2009 |clubs3 = Reading |caps3 = 157 |goals3 = 55
|years4 = 2009–2015 |clubs4 = Wolverhampton Wanderers |caps4 = 164 |goals4 = 30
|years5 = 2014 |clubs5 = → Queens Park Rangers (loan)|caps5 = 9|goals5 = 2
|years6 = 2014–2015 |clubs6 = → Crystal Palace (loan) |caps6 = 3|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2015–2017 |clubs7 = Colorado Rapids |caps7 = 75 |goals7 = 17
|totalcaps = 490 | totalgoals = 128
|nationalyears1 = 2003 |nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U20 |nationalcaps1 = 5 |nationalgoals1 = 1
|nationalyears2 = 2002–2005 |nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U21 |nationalcaps2 = 11 |nationalgoals2 = 7
|nationalyears3 = 2006–2017 |nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland |nationalcaps3 = 62
|nationalgoals3 = 14
}}
Kevin Edward Doyle (born 18 September 1983) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a forward.
He played for Wexford F.C. (formerly Wexford Youths), St Patrick's Athletic, and Cork City in his homeland before he moved to English side Reading. He was part of Reading's record-breaking promotion to the Premier League in 2006. In June 2009, he moved to Wolverhampton Wanderers for a then-club record £6.5 million and finished his career in the United States with the Colorado Rapids.
Doyle made his debut for the Republic of Ireland national team in 2006. He scored fourteen goals in 62 appearances for Ireland and represented the country at UEFA Euro 2012.
In February 2018, Doyle took a job with the Wexford GAA Under-20s football team as an advisor to the team.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/kevin-doyle-joins-wexford-u20-footballs-back-room-team-advisory-role-150962|title=Kevin Doyle joins Wexford U20 football back-room team in 'advisory role'|website=JOE.ie|first=Matthew|last=Gault|date=14 February 2018|accessdate=3 July 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/gaa/kevin-doyle-wexford-ga-u20-footballers-383339|title=Kevin Doyle Explains How He Got Role With Wexford GAA|website=Balls.ie|first=PJ|last=Browne|date=15 February 2018|accessdate=3 July 2021}}
Club career
=St Patrick's Athletic=
Doyle signed for his first professional club St Patrick's Athletic in September 2001 as a free agent. Doyle initially played for the club's under 18 side but within weeks had made his League of Ireland Premier Division debut on 25 November 2001 in a 1–1 draw with Monaghan United at Richmond Park. He made 13 appearances in all competitions for the club.{{cite web | url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/people/soccer/kevin-doyle/507/ | title=Kevin Doyle - Soccer player profile & career statistics - Global Sports Archive }}
=Cork City=
He then had a successful spell with Cork City, who he joined in March 2003 on a two-year deal,{{cite web | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/maintopics/cork-citys-new-boss-pat-dolan-has-signed-dubliner-kevin-doyle-from-st-patricks-athletic-on-a-two-y_topic-1310867.html | title=Cork City's new boss Pat Dolan has signed Dubliner Kevin Doyle from St Patrick's Athletic on a two-year contract }} linking up with his former St. Patrick's Athletic manager Pat Dolan, who had recently taken over at Turners Cross. Doyle scored 25 goals for Cork City where he began playing on the right-wing but soon reverted to his natural position of striker. He also scored two goals from six appearances in the 2004 UEFA Intertoto Cup, including the winner against Dutch side NEC Nijmegen.{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/2004/0712/Pg035.html#Ar03501:0945ED0C462108366A09768609666B09D68509D66A0A76866A93E76CC4036B77CF6D47E710C5361625E915D53620F5E936B85F3948790535EE08962105366B06168506066A07C68610973B1337551C75F11F160B22266D24C68728573C2AE75618B78F1B67A919F7A41CA7BE1CA7A41CF7BE1CD7A41D67BE41577B41D79541D77B4457954FB84B52486567A3E76A440368D5F26B660C68D6C06B76DA68D7286B774468B7CF6B17E7 | title=Requires login | newspaper=The Irish Times}}{{cite news | url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/2004/0726/Pg031.html#Ar03106:87D4878AB4B886A50087C51D87D50288251C88250088C51D87C8C18978D783E4888754B983F50086651D8535CE87B5EA85468887C6A28EA73E9127578C37678EA7818588C187A8D7 | title=Requires login | newspaper=The Irish Times}}
For his form he was awarded the eircom/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month for November 2004 {{cite web | url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-10122955.html | title=Dynamic Doyle named Player of the Month | date=8 December 2004 }}
Thousands of fans gave him a standing ovation in his final game for Cork City, against Finn Harps, before his transfer to Reading.{{cite news|first=George|last=Williams|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/doyle-signs-off-with-a-double-253154.html|title=Doyle signs off with a double|newspaper=Irish Independent|date=7 June 2005|access-date=7 June 2005}}
=Reading=
On 7 June 2005, Doyle signed for Reading on a two-year deal from Cork City, Ireland{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/reading/4614667.stm |title=Reading complete double Cork deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2005 |access-date=28 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202153421/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/reading/4614667.stm |archive-date=2 February 2014 }} for €117,000{{cite web|date=October 2006 |url=http://thedubliner.typepad.com/the_dubliner_magazine/2007/04/own_goal.html |title=Own Goal – The Slow Death of Irish Soccer |work=The Dubliner |access-date=28 March 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211082430/http://thedubliner.typepad.com/the_dubliner_magazine/2007/04/own_goal.html |archive-date=11 December 2008 }} (about £78,000).{{cite news | date=16 August 2006 | url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1851437,00.html | title=Bargain buy set to hit the heights | work=The Guardian | access-date=28 March 2008 | location=London | first=Paul | last=Doyle}} Despite having left Cork City, Doyle received a championship medal when they won the League of Ireland Premier Division in November 2005. Originally, he was signed as a back-up, but injuries to Dave Kitson and then Leroy Lita gave him an opportunity in the first team which he retained thanks to a number of important goals along the way. He scored 19 in total including the equalising goal at Leicester City on the day the Royals were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history, 25 March 2006. He became an intrinsic part of Reading's Championship-winning 2005–06 squad, and according to the Actim Index was the top player in the Championship.{{cite news|date=4 May 2006 |url=http://www.pa-sport.com/en/products/actim_championship.html |title=Coca-Cola Championship Top 10 players |publisher=PA Sport |access-date=16 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423095721/http://www.pa-sport.com/en/products/actim_championship.html |archive-date=23 April 2006 |url-status=dead}} He was named the official Reading F.C. player of the season for 2005–06.{{cite news|date=2 May 2006 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~823740,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525154045/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~823740,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=25 May 2012 |title=Doyle wins player of the season after his superb first campaign for the Royals }} In April 2006, he was also named as Championship Fans' Player of the Year{{cite news|date=26 April 2006 |url=http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?article=8228&type=1 |title=Rooney's top dog in the Prem – and there are divisional awards for Doyle, Flahavan and Hawley too |publisher=Professional Footballers' Association |access-date=16 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060903151029/http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?article=8228&type=1 |archive-date=3 September 2006 |url-status=dead}} and one of the Championship Team of the Year{{cite news|date=23 April 2006 |url=http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?article=8213&type=1 |title=The PFA Team of the Year: Coca-Cola Championship |publisher=Professional Footballers' Association |access-date=16 May 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061020114549/http://www.givemefootball.com/display.cfm?article=8213&type=1 |archive-date=20 October 2006 |url-status=dead}} by the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA).
Doyle played an important role for Reading in the 2006–07 Premier League season. His first Premiership goal came in the Royals 2–1 defeat at Aston Villa, when he headed Reading into a third-minute lead. Doyle began to show a great threat in the air, during the year 2007 he scored more headers than any other player in England's leagues. He was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year but lost out to Cesc Fàbregas. He finished the season with 13 Premier League goals after being curtailed with a torn hamstring for two months. Reading were relegated in the 2007–08 season, but they decided to hold onto Doyle and many of their top players.
On 1 September 2008, he was linked with a move to Aston Villa but in the end the striker remained at Reading.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}}
Doyle remained at Reading to try to help them return to the top flight in the 2008–09 season. He scored 18 league goals but the club failed to achieve promotion after finishing fourth and losing in the play-offs to Burnley.
=Wolverhampton Wanderers=
File:Kevin Doyle.jpg in 2012]]
Doyle joined newly promoted Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on 30 June 2009 when he signed a four-year contract for a club record fee, reportedly £6.5 million.{{cite news | date=30 June 2009 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/8125952.stm | title=Wolves make Doyle record signing | publisher=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11699_5407638,00.html|title=Doyle – No Wolves doubts|date=30 June 2009|work=Sky Sports}} However, he immediately had to undergo an operation to remove a hernia, which hindered his first pre-season at his new club.{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11699_5448111,00+en-USS_01DBC.html|title=Doyle has hernia operation|date=22 July 2009|work=Sky Sports}} He picked up another minor injury while on international duty with Ireland that caused him to miss the start of the league season. He finally made his debut for Wolves on 22 August 2009, as a half time substitute at Manchester City.{{cite news | date=22 August 2010 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8210640.stm | title=Man City 1–0 Wolverhampton | publisher=BBC Sport | first=Phil | last=McNulty}}
He scored his first Wolves goal on 20 September 2009 to earn a 2–1 win over Fulham.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8257757.stm | work=BBC News | title=Wolves 2–1 Fulham | date=20 September 2009}} Throughout much of the season he operated as a lone striker in a 4–5–1 formation. His contribution helped the club finish 15th in their first season in the Premier League.2009–10 Premier League He also won the club's Player's Player of the Season Award and their Top Goalscorer Award after reaching nine goals.{{cite news|url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~2043559,00.html |title=End of Season Dinner – Live! |publisher=wolves.co.uk |date=4 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507174202/http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/News/0%2C%2C10307~2043559%2C00.html |archive-date= 7 May 2010 }}
Doyle continued to play the lone striker role throughout most of the 2010–11 season, despite the arrival of Steven Fletcher who equalled Doyle's club record fee. After Mick McCarthy rotated systems using various strikers, he eventually reverted to his previously successful 4–5–1 formation, with Doyle playing the lone front man role. He went on to score five goals for Wolves in the second half of the season – including the winner against Manchester United that halted their 29 match unbeaten run.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9384148.stm | work=BBC News | title=Wolves 2–1 Man Utd | date=5 February 2011}} On 26 March 2011, Doyle tore a knee ligament while on international duty with Ireland, which kept him out of action for up to 6 weeks.{{cite news | date=28 March 2011 | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/9437554.stm | title=Wolves top scorer Kevin Doyle could miss rest of season | publisher=BBC Sport}} He returned to action on 14 May against Sunderland, coming on as a substitute,{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/9483162.stm |publisher=BBC Sport| title=Sunderland 1–3 Wolves | date=14 May 2011}} but played no part in their final game in which they narrowly escaped relegation.
Doyle was part of the Wolves squad who suffered successive relegations in consecutive seasons, to drop from the Premier League to League One during the 2011–12 and 2012–13 seasons. New Wolves manager Kenny Jackett stated that Doyle's wages were "too high for where we are" and that he expected him to leave.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23573774|publisher=BBC Sport| title=Kevin Doyle: Kenny Jackett prepares for Wolves striker's exit| date=5 August 2013}} No bids materialised for the striker though during the Summer 2013 transfer window and he featured instead for Wolves' first team during the first part of the season as one of the few remaining players from their time in the Premier League.
On 31 January 2014 Doyle was loaned to Championship side Queens Park Rangers in a deal due to run until the end of the season.{{cite news|title=QPR sign Kevin Doyle from Wolves|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25987878|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2014}} He scored on his debut against Burnley on 1 February 2014, and netted a second goal for the club against Reading, as the team chased an immediate return to the Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25891765 |title=QPR 3–3 Burnley|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2014}} However, a knee injury sustained against Birmingham City saw him spend a period back at Wolves during March and April as he underwent treatment. After returning to Loftus Road,{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fitagain-doyle-sent-back-to-boost-qpr-push-30179446.html|title=Fit-again Doyle sent back to boost QPR push|publisher=Irish Independent|date=12 April 2014}} Doyle featured in all three games of QPR's successful play-off campaign as they won promotion back to the Premier League.
On 1 September 2014, Doyle was loaned to Premier League side Crystal Palace until January 2015.{{Cite news | title=Crystal Palace: James McArthur, Kevin Doyle & Zeki Fryers sign|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29013298|publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2014}} He made only three substitute appearances for the Eagles in the Premier League, failing to score in any of these appearances. His final appearance during his loan spell saw him score his only goal for the club when he netted in an FA Cup tie against non-league Dover Athletic.{{Cite news | title=Dover 0–4 Crystal Palace|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30614379|publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2015}} At the end of his loan, he returned to Wolves, making a handful of appearances as substitute before his contract expired at the conclusion of the season.{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/15090737| publisher=BBC Sport| title=Wolverhampton striker Kevin Doyle signs new four-year contract| date=28 September 2011}} In total he scored 33 times for Wolves during 179 appearances, spread across playing from the Premier League to League One level.
=Colorado Rapids=
On 20 March 2015 it was announced that Doyle had signed a pre-contract agreement with the MLS club Colorado Rapids. The two-and-a-half-year deal was originally due to take effect from 1 July 2015 upon the expiry of his contract with Wolves,{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31996219 | work=BBC Sport | title=Wolves striker Kevin Doyle to join Colorado Rapids | date=20 March 2015}} but the club reached a settlement on 6 May 2015, following the conclusion of Wolves' season, to allow Doyle to join Colorado earlier than planned.{{cite news| url=http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/doyles-wolves-career-ends-2444378.aspx| publisher=Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C| title=Doyle's Wolves career ends| date=6 May 2015| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150507203440/http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/doyles-wolves-career-ends-2444378.aspx| archive-date=7 May 2015| df=dmy-all}} He made his MLS debut on 23 May 2015 as a substitute in a 1–0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps.{{cite news| url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2015/05/match-report-col-1-0-van| publisher=Colorado Rapids| title=Match Report – COL 1–0 VAN| date=23 May 2015| access-date=25 May 2015| archive-date=25 May 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525182014/http://www.coloradorapids.com/news/2015/05/match-report-col-1-0-van| url-status=dead}}
On 28 September 2017, Doyle announced his immediate retirement from the game due to ongoing effects of concussion.{{cite tweet|title=Statement on my retirment [sic]|user=KevinDoyle1983|number=913463723058069504|date=28 September 2017}}
International career
Doyle was first selected for his national team that won the Under-20 UAE invitational tournament in January 2003 {{cite web | url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2003/0124/170106-under-20/ | title=Kerr leads U-20s to more tournament success | website=RTÉ.ie | date=24 January 2003 }} He was then part of the squad at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and scored against Colombia {{cite web | url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/news/doyle-delivers-for-irish-team/27683667.html | title=Doyle delivers for Irish team | date=11 December 2003 }}
Doyle played for the Republic of Ireland U21 team, making his debut on 2 February 2004 against Portugal. With 11 caps, and scoring seven goals making him joint top scorer at that grade.
He was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad in October 2005,{{cite news | date=27 September 2005 | title=Doyle called up to Republic squad | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4287096.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=29 March 2007}} making his full international debut against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on 1 March 2006.{{cite news | date=1 March 2006 | title=Rep of Ireland 3–0 Sweden | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4764816.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=29 March 2007}} His first start in a competitive international was against Germany on 2 September 2006 in a Euro 2008 qualifier.{{cite news | date=2 September 2006 | title=Germany 1–0 Republic of Ireland | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5308528.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=29 March 2007}} With this appearance, his family also won a €100 bet at 100/1 they had placed two years earlier on Doyle playing competitively for Ireland.{{cite news | date=2 September 2006 | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/euro_2008/article626027.ece | title=Father to collect on Doyle bet | work=The Times | access-date=8 January 2008 | location=London}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
Doyle scored his first goal for Ireland against San Marino in November 2006.{{cite news | date=15 November 2006 | title=Rep of Ireland 5–0 San Marino | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6147468.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=29 March 2007 | first=Lyle | last=Jackson}} He was then named the official Football Association of Ireland Young Player of 2006 on 4 February 2007, also receiving a nomination for the senior award.{{cite news|date=5 February 2007 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~976002,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805132157/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~976002,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 August 2012 |title=Doyle receives top Irish young player award |work=ReadingFC.co.uk |access-date=5 February 2007 }}
His second goal came in a 1–0 victory over Slovakia at Croke Park in March 2007.{{cite news | date=28 March 2007 | title=Republic of Ireland 1–0 Slovakia | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6504763.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=29 March 2007}} He also scored against Ecuador on 23 May 2007 securing a valiant 1–1 draw against the South Americans,{{cite news | date=23 May 2007 | title=Ecuador 1–1 Ireland | url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=433135&cc=5901 | work=ESPNsoccernet | access-date=27 August 2007 | archive-date=7 April 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407092816/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=433135&cc=5901 | url-status=dead }} and he scored his best goal for Ireland, with a long-range left-foot shot into the top corner to the keeper's right, in a 2–2 draw against Slovakia on 9 September 2007 in the Euro 2008 qualifying game in Bratislava.{{cite news | date=8 September 2007 | title=Slovakia 2–2 Rep of Ireland | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/6985512.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=9 September 2007}} His fifth international goal and fourth in the Euro 2008 qualifiers came away to Wales as Ireland drew 2–2.
During 2010 World Cup qualifying, Doyle established himself as Robbie Keane's ideal strike partner in the national team's attacking quartet that included Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1014560.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207154419/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1014560.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 February 2009|title=Quartet key to Irish formula|author=FIFA.com|date=5 February 2009|work=FIFA.com|access-date=25 January 2016}} He played in 8 of the 10 games, scoring two goals, including the first in a 2–1 win in the opening game against Georgia. He also scored against Cyprus, his seventh international goal, in a 2–1 win in Nicosia. In the absence of Robbie Keane, Shay Given and other players who had been allowed to return to their clubs, Doyle captained Ireland for the first time in a friendly against South Africa on 8 September 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100306:kevin-doyles-fast-track-to-the-top&catid=1:senior-men&Itemid=8|title=Football Association of Ireland|access-date=25 January 2016}}
Doyle was nominated as the Football Association of Ireland Player of the Year for 2007 and won the award in 2009,{{cite news | date=20 December 2007 | url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2738 | title=FAI and eircom announce nominations for eircom International Awards | publisher=Football Association of Ireland | access-date=20 December 2007}}{{cite news|date=20 December 2007 |url=http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1195721,00.html |title=Duo up for player of the year |work=ReadingFC.co.uk |access-date=20 December 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221162743/http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~1195721%2C00.html |archive-date=21 December 2007 }} as well as for Goal of the Year for his goal against Slovakia in September 2007.
Doyle scored his ninth international goal, and first in 2012 European Championships qualification, against Andorra at the Aviva Stadium on 7 September 2010. On 6 February 2011, Doyle was named Republic of Ireland Player of the Year for 2010, while he also earned the Goal of the Year award for Ireland, for his superb strike in last September's Euro 2012 qualifier against Andorra.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/doyle-lands-top-award-2528006.html|title=Doyle lands top award|date=7 February 2011|work=Irish Independent|access-date=7 February 2011}}
Doyle was sent off against Armenia on 11 October 2011.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15248897.stm|title=Cox hails team-mates as 'heroes' after Republic win|date=11 October 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=11 October 2011}} He reached 50 international caps against Italy at UEFA Euro 2012.
In the first game of 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group C, Ireland were in a bad way against Kazakhstan, the team ranked 142nd in the world. Ireland were 1–0 down with 89 minutes gone. Doyle came off the bench to assist with the equalising goal (a Robbie Keane penalty) and then scored the winner.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2012/0907/336745-sdsad/|title=Kazakhstan 1–2 Republic of Ireland|work=RTÉ Sport|date=7 September 2012|access-date=7 September 2012}} His reward was being named captain in an international friendly against Oman four days later, the second time he would captain his country.{{cite news|first=Liam|last=Mackey|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/doyle-mcclean-will-come-back-brighter-from-twittergate-207194.html|title=Kevin Doyle, who captains Ireland for just the second time, when they play Oman at Craven Cottage this evening...|newspaper=Irish Examiner|date=11 September 2012|access-date=11 September 2012}} He scored again in that game.{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2012/0911/337260-republic-of-ireland-v-oman/|title=Republic of Ireland 4–1 Oman|work=RTÉ Sport|date=11 September 2012|access-date=11 September 2012}}
Towards the end of the Trapattoni era, Doyle fell out of favour and was dropped from the squads but he was recalled by Interim manager Noel King for the qualifiers against Germany and Kazakhstan.{{cite news |title=Reid, Stokes, Gibson and Doyle all return for Ireland |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/reid-stokes-gibson-and-doyle-all-return-for-ireland-1.1544991 |date= 30 September 2013}} Doyle played the full 90 minutes in both qualifiers against Germany and Kazakhstan in an unfamiliar role playing out on the wings.{{cite news |title=Germany 3–0 Republic of Ireland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24468735 |date=11 October 2013}}{{cite news |title= Republic of Ireland 3–1 Kazakhstan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24525613 |date=15 October 2013}}
In his 62nd match for the Republic, at home against Switzerland, he suffered a serious leg injury.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35862137 | title=Republic of Ireland 1-0 Switzerland | publisher=BBC Sport | date=26 March 2016 | access-date=26 March 2016 | author=Jackson, Lyle}} After finding out that there were no broken bones, Doyle tweeted a picture of the injury. O'Neill was quoted as saying Doyle would still be in the running for the upcoming Euros.{{cite web | url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/graphic-content-warning-kevin-doyle-has-tweeted-a-picture-of-his-leg-injury-and-it-is-gruesome-34573686.html | title=Graphic content warning: Kevin Doyle has tweeted a picture of his leg injury and it is gruesome | publisher=Independent.ie | date=26 March 2016 | access-date=26 March 2016}}
Media career
Doyle was part of RTÉ Sport's punditry team for the UEFA Euro 2020, alongside Damien Duff, Liam Brady and Richie Sadlier.{{cite web|url=https://about.rte.ie/2021/06/10/rte-announces-details-of-uefa-euro-2020-coverage-live-and-exclusive/|title=RTÉ announces details of UEFA EURO 2020 coverage – live and exclusive|website=about.rte.ie|date=10 June 2021|accessdate=3 July 2021}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|21 June 2024}}{{cite web|title=K.Doyle|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kevin-doyle/2584/|website=soccerway.com|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=28 September 2017}}
Eircom League Annual 2001/02 – by Michael Hayes (2001)
Eircom League Annual 2002/03 – by Michael Hayes (2002)
Eircom League Annual 2003 – by Michael Hayes (2003)
Eircom League Annual 2004 – by Michael Hayes (2004)
{{notelist}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 28 March 2017}}{{NFT player|12416|name=Kevin Doyle|accessdate=11 October 2014}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="11"|Republic of Ireland
|2006 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 10 | 4 | |
| 2008 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2009 | 9 | 1 | |
| 2010 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2012 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2014 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 1 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 62 | 14 |
:Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Doyle goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Kevin Doyle | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| align="center"|1 | 15 November 2006 | Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland | {{fb|SMR}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|5–0 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
| align="center"|2 | 28 March 2007 | Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland | {{fb|SVK}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–0 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
| align="center"|3 | 23 May 2007 | Giants Stadium, New York, United States | {{fb|ECU}} | align="center"|1–1 | align="center"|1–1 | Friendly |
| align="center"|4 | 9 September 2007 | Tehelné Pole, Bratislava, Slovakia | {{fb|SVK}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center"|2–2 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
| align="center"|5 | 17 November 2007 | Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales | {{fb|WAL}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center"|2–2 | UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying |
| align="center"|6 | 6 September 2008 | Stadion am Bruchweg, Mainz, Germany | {{fb|GEO}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|7 | 5 September 2009 | Neo GSP Stadium, Nicosia, Cyprus | {{fb|CYP}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–1 | 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|8 | 25 May 2010 | RDS Arena, Dublin, Ireland | {{fb|PAR}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–1 | Friendly |
| align="center"|9 | 7 September 2010 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland | {{fb|AND}} | align="center"|2–0 | align="center"|3–1 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| align="center"|10 | 7 October 2011 | Estadi Comunal, Andorra la Vella, Andorra | {{fb|AND}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying |
| align="center"|11 | 7 September 2012 | Astana Arena, Astana, Kazakhstan | {{fb|KAZ}} | align="center"|2–1 | align="center"|2–1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| align="center"|12 | 11 September 2012 | Craven Cottage, London, England | {{fb|OMA}} | align="center"|3–0 | align="center"|4–1 | Friendly |
| align="center"|13 | 6 June 2014 | PPL Park, Philadelphia, United States | {{fb|CRC}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|1–1 | Friendly |
| align="center"|14 | 3 September 2014 | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland | {{fb|OMA}} | align="center"|1–0 | align="center"|2–0 | Friendly |
Honours
Cork City
Reading
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Queens Park Rangers
Republic of Ireland
- Nations Cup: 2011{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/29/republic-ireland-scotland-nations-cup|title=Robbie Keane earns Ireland deciding win over Scotland in Nations Cup|date=29 May 2011|work=Guardian|access-date=14 May 2020}}
Individual
- PFA Fans' Player of the Year: 2005–06 Championship{{Cite news |date=27 April 2006 |title=FA plans hit snag - Fans salute Doyle |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/fa-plans-hit-snag-1.1044362 |access-date=10 April 2023 |newspaper=The Irish Times}}
- PFA Team of the Year: 2005–06 Championship{{cite news |date=23 April 2006 |title=Gerrard named player of the year |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4935884.stm |access-date=10 April 2023}}
- Reading Player of the Season: 2005–06{{Cite web |title=Players of the Season |url=https://readingfc.co.uk//history/players-of-the-season |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=Reading FC}}
- FAI Under 21 International Player of the Year: 2005{{cite news |date=27 February 2006 |title=Robson leads tributes as Given takes top award |work=Irish Independent |publisher=Independent News & Media plc |url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/robson-leads-tributes-as-given-takes-top-award-115155.html |url-status=dead |access-date=3 April 2011 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217180317/http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/robson-leads-tributes-as-given-takes-top-award-115155.html |archive-date=17 February 2013}}
- FAI Young International Player of the Year: 2006{{cite web |date=4 February 2007 |title=17th eircom/FAI International Award winners announced |url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1666 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222071307/http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1666 |archive-date=22 February 2012 |access-date=7 February 2011 |work=fai.ie |publisher=FAI}}
- FAI Senior International Player of the Year: 2008,{{cite web |date=8 February 2009 |title=Doyle named eircom Player of the Year |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2009/0208/244808-eircomawards/ |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=RTÉ.ie |publisher=RTÉ}} 2010{{cite web |date=7 February 2011 |title=21st 3/FAI International Football Award winners announced |url=http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101529:21st-3fai-international-football-award-winners-announced&catid=1:senior-men&Itemid=8 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106022019/http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101529%3A21st-3fai-international-football-award-winners-announced&catid=1%3Asenior-men&Itemid=8 |archive-date=6 November 2013 |access-date=7 February 2011 |work=fai.ie |publisher=FAI}}
- FAI International Goal of the Year: 2007 vs. Slovakia,{{cite web |date=3 February 2008 |title=18th International Soccer Awards Ceremony |url=http://www.rissc.org/archive/Feb2008/18thIntAwards08.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729173356/http://rissc.org/archive/Feb2008/18thIntAwards08.htm |archive-date=29 July 2016 |access-date=9 November 2013 |work=rissc.org |publisher=Republic of Ireland Soccer Supporters Club}} 2010 vs. Andorra, 2012 vs. Kazakhstan{{cite web |date=3 February 2013 |title=Stars honoured at 23rd International Awards |url=http://www.fai.ie/international/senior-men/103008-stars-honoured-at-23rd-international-awards.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211043252/http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/stars-honoured-at-23rd-international-awards |archive-date=11 February 2015 |access-date=4 February 2013 |work=fai.ie |publisher=FAI}}
- Football League Championship Player of the Month: September 2008{{cite news |last=Hinton |first=Mark |date=7 October 2008 |title=Doyle is Championship Player of the Month |publisher=Goal |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=900860 |access-date=7 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425201005/http://www.goal.com/en-india/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=900860 |archive-date=25 April 2009}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [http://www.coloradorapids.com/players/kevin-doyle Official club profile]
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards
|titlestyle=background: gold
|list1=
{{2005–06 Football League Championship PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Reading F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Reading F.C. Hall of Fame}}
{{FAI Under 21 International Player of the Year}}
{{FAI Young International Player of the Year}}
{{FAI International Goal of the Year}}
{{FAI Senior International Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Republic of Ireland squad UEFA Euro 2012}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Doyle, Kevin}}
Category:Association footballers from County Wexford
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