Irish League star 'definitely not surprised' to see former Dundalk team-mate light up Premiership

Hoban was a statement signing by the Glens last summer, joining from Derry City where he finished the previous League of Ireland campaign as top goalscorer.

The 34-year-old has proven his class at The Oval, taking his tally to 19 goals in 22 Premiership matches with a brace in Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Cliftonville which kept Glentoran’s title hopes alive.

No top-flight player has scored more this term than Hoban – Fraser Bryden (18), Matthew Fitzpatrick and Joel Cooper (both 17) are amongst his nearest Golden Boot rivals.

Hoban struck six times in an emphatic 7-0 victory over Carrick Rangers in January and has also helped Declan Devine’s side seal progression to a BetMcLean Cup final showdown against rivals Linfield, netting in their semi-final triumph at home to Coleraine.

Mountney and Hoban won three League of Ireland Premier Division titles during their time together at Dundalk – the former lifted five in total.

Hoban remains Dundalk’s record goalscorer having struck 150 times across all competitions and finished four separate campaigns top of the goal charts in the Republic of Ireland.

He was regarded as surplus to requirements at Derry City towards the end of his time at the Brandywell and Mountney believes it would have been foolish to write off such a prolific striker.

"I’m definitely not surprised,” said Mountney. “Pat has a very strong mindset.

"He’s still the highest-ever goalscorer at Dundalk and he had plenty of years left in his legs when he left.

"It’s definitely no surprise to see the success he is having and there’s definitely a few more years with loads of goals to come.

"That’s exactly the type of character Pat is, he will feed off that sort of energy...if someone tells Pat he’s not good enough or writes him off, he’s the type of character who will prove them wrong and it motivates him.

"It’s no surprise to see Pat scoring lots of goals since joining Glentoran.”

Hoban scored double-figure league goals in each of Dundalk’s Premier Division triumphs during his time at Oriel Park, netting 20 times in 2014 before registering an incredible 29 in 2018.

He followed it up with another 13 the following year and Hoban’s prowess will be key if Glentoran are to end their 17-year wait for league glory.

Devine’s men currently sit eight points behind leaders Larne, but hold two matches in hand.

Having watched on closely as Hoban shone during a golden period of success at Dundalk, Mountney knows just how lethal he can be.

"He was massive for us,” he added. “Like in a lot of leagues, there wasn’t much between teams and Pat was the type of player, be it a set-piece, a ball across the box, a corner, whatever it was, he always was a threat to get on the end of something.

"I played with him many times where he’s got us over the line in games with big goals. It’s good to see him doing well.”