Wikipedia

Andy Boyle

Andrew Boyle (born 7 March 1991) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford. He has previously played for League of Ireland sides UCD, Shelbourne and Dundalk (over 2 spells), Scottish club Dundee, English Club Preston North End and on loan at Ross County.[3] With Dundalk, Boyle was the team's vice-captain and was part of the first Irish side to reach the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League in August 2016 and qualified for the Europa League group stages.[4] Boyle also played regularly in 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage.[5]

Andy Boyle
Boyle playing against Zenit Saint Petersburg in the 2016–17 Europa League
Personal information
Full name Andrew Boyle[1]
Date of birth (1991-03-07) 7 March 1991 (age 33)[2]
Place of birth Palmerstown, Ireland
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Defender
Team information
Current team
 Waterford
Youth career
Cherry Orchard
2006–2008 Crumlin United
2008 UCD
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2010 UCD 55 (1)
2011–2012 Shelbourne 52 (0)
2013–2016 Dundalk 129 (7)
2017–2019 Preston North End 10 (0)
2018 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 6 (1)
2018 → Dundee (loan) 13 (1)
2019 → Ross County (loan) 11 (1)
2019–2024 Dundalk 131 (4)
2025– Waterford 0 (0)
International career‡
2006 Republic of Ireland U15 1 (0)
2009 Republic of Ireland U18 1 (0)
2009–2010 Republic of Ireland U19 4 (0)
2017 Republic of Ireland 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 14:18, 13 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 28 March 2017

Early career

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Boyle played for Cherry Orchard at a young age, before joining Crumlin United.[6] He was part of the Crumlin under-15 team that finished runners-up to Belvedere in the NIB SFAI Under-15 Cup.[7] He had trials with various clubs in the United Kingdom and received offers to sign for them, but at the age of 14 he decided it would be more beneficial to stay in Ireland and get his education rather than move away in his teenage years.[8] Boyle regularly attended League of Ireland matches around this time and developed an ambition to play in the league.

Club career

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UCD

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Boyle joined League of Ireland First Division club UCD in 2008. He featured for the UCD under-20s in his first season and also played for the club's 'A' side in the 2008 A Championship, a second level competition which the team won, but he didn't feature in the 2008 league campaign. Boyle made his league debut in the First Division on the opening day of the 2009 season, the day before his 18th birthday, starting in a 2–1 home win against Limerick. He went on to play in 30 of the team's 33 games as they won the First Division title, earning promotion. He also played in the 2009 FAI Cup, playing in both of UCD's games, and in the 2009 League of Ireland Cup, playing in the semi-final against Waterford United.[9]

The following season, Boyle continued to be a key figure in the side, making 25 appearances in the Premier Division as UCD finished in 7th place.[10] He scored his first ever goal for the side against Sporting Fingal in the league on 25 June 2010. Boyle also played in the third and fourth rounds of the 2010 FAI Cup against Drogheda United and Bray Wanderers respectively. UCD also won a second A Championship title in 2010, with Boyle playing in the final at the end of the season.[9]

Shelbourne

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A 20 year old Boyle in action for Shelbourne in 2011.

In January 2011, Boyle moved to First Division side Shelbourne. He made 29 appearances in the league in his first season with the side. Shelbourne finished the season as runners-up, one point behind champions Cork City, and earned promotion to the Premier Division.[11] Boyle's first season with Shelbourne also saw the team go on a run in the 2011 FAI Cup. Boyle started and scored in the team's opening game in the competition, a Third Round victory over Greystones.[12] He then played in the Fourth Round game away to Sheriff Youth Club, which ended in a shock 3–2 defeat.[13] However, Sheriff were discovered to have fielded an ineligible player and Shelbourne were given a 3–0 win in the tie, progressing to the quarter-finals.[14][15] Boyle played in the quarter-final win against Limerick,[16] and both the first semi-final and the replay against Dublin rivals St Patrick's Athletic.[17][18] He started in the FAI final against Sligo Rovers in the Aviva Stadium which Shelbourne lost on penalties, playing the full 120 minutes.[19] He also played in two 2011 League of Ireland Cup games, as Shelbourne were eliminated in the quarter-finals.[20][21]

In Shelbourne's first season back in the Premier Division, Boyle made 22 league appearances helping the club to an 8th-place finish.[11] He also featured in the 2012 FAI Cup, playing in all six of the team's games as they reached the semi-finals, where they were knocked out after a replay by eventual winners Derry City. Boyle played once in the 2012 League of Ireland Cup, as Shelbourne were eliminated in the Second Round.[22]

Dundalk

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Boyle left Shelbourne in December 2012 to join Premier Division side Dundalk, coached by Stephen Kenny. He arrived at the club having made over 130 senior appearances. Boyle made his competitive debut for Dundalk when playing the entire 120 minutes of the 2–0 win away to Sheriff YC in the Leinster Senior Cup on 20 February 2012. He made his league debut in the opening-day draw at home to Shamrock Rovers on 8 March. Boyle was a crucial figure in the team missing just one game in the 2013 Premier Division, as the club finished second, just three points behind champions St Patrick's Athletic. He was selected in the 2013 PFAI Premier Division Team of the Year and won the Dundalk Player's Player of the Year award.

On 16 October 2013, Boyle signed a fresh one-year deal to keep him at Oriel Park for the 2014 season. Following a long-term injury to Stephen O'Donnell, Boyle spent the majority of the 2014 season in the role of captain, and he played 32 times for the club in the league, scoring two goals, as the club claimed the league and League Cup double. After signing a two-year contract extension in October 2014, he proved to be a pivotal figure in 2015, playing every league game and scoring once as Dundalk retained the title and also won the FAI Cup in November. He also appeared in both Champions League 2nd Qualifying Round ties, as Dundalk were eliminated by BATE Borisov. Boyle was again rewarded for his performances by being named in the 2015 PFAI's Premier Division Team of the Year.[23]

Boyle remained an integral part of Dundalk's side in 2016 as they won their third league title in-a-row and he played every minute of their European campaign as they became the first Irish side to reach the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League in August 2016, and subsequently qualified for the group stages of the Europa League. In the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie against Legia Warsaw, Boyle was punished by a contentious decision after he was deemed to have handled the ball in the penalty area and a penalty was awarded.[24] He went on to appear in Dundalk's draw with AZ Alkmaar on 15 September as they became the first Irish side to pick up a point in the group stages of European competition, and he captained the team when they registered a victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv two weeks later. Boyle continued to captain the side against Zenit St. Petersburg in the absence of Stephen O'Donnell as Dundalk fell to a 2–1 defeat.[25] With his contract expiring at the end of 2016, Boyle's form earned interest from several clubs in the U.K. including Barnsley and Ipswich Town, however he stated that he would wait until the Europa League group stage had concluded before deciding whether or not to sign a new contract with Dundalk.[26][27]

Preston North End

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It was announced on 12 December 2016 that Boyle and teammate Daryl Horgan would be joining EFL Championship club Preston North End on 1 January 2017.[28]

Doncaster Rovers (loan)

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On 30 January 2018, it was announced he had signed on loan to EFL League One side Doncaster Rovers until the end of the season.[29]

Dundee (loan)

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On 31 August 2018, Boyle joined Scottish Premiership side Dundee on loan until the end of the 2018–19 season.[30] His loan was curtailed at the end of December 2018.[31]

Ross County (loan)

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Boyle joined Scottish Championship side Ross County on 29 January 2019 until the end of the season.[32]

He was released by Preston at the end of the 2018–19 season.[33]

Return to Dundalk

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Boyle rejoined Irish Side Dundalk on 24 June 2019 following his release by English club Preston North End. In his first season back at the club, he helped Dundalk win the Premier Division title and the 2019 League of Ireland Cup.[34] Boyle also played regularly in 2020–21 UEFA Europa League group stage.[5] On 13 November it was announced that he would be departing the club following their relegation to the League of Ireland First Division.[35]

Waterford

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On 13 November 2024, it was announced that Boyle had signed for Waterford ahead of their 2025 campaign.[36]

International career

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Boyle has represented Ireland internationally at under-age level. On 2 June 2006, he played for the Republic of Ireland under-15 side in a Tri-Nations international game away to Northern Ireland.[37] His next international game came at under-18 level, when he played away to Cyprus in a friendly on 7 April 2009.[38] Boyle then played for the Republic of Ireland under-19 team, making his debut at home against Portugal on 8 September 2009 in the Clarion Hotel Four-nation Tour. He made two more appearances for Republic of Ireland U19s in the 2010 UEFA U-19 Championship Qualifying Round against Albania and Italy in November 2009, and a further one in the 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championship Elite Round against Ukraine in May 2010.[39]

Boyle received no further underage caps for the Republic of Ireland, but the consistency of his performances for Dundalk in the Champions League qualifying rounds and the Europa League group stage was rewarded when he was named in Martin O'Neill's provisional Republic of Ireland squad for a World Cup qualifier against Austria in November 2016, along with his Dundalk teammate Daryl Horgan.[40][41][42]

On 28 March 2017, Boyle he made his senior international debut, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 1–0 friendly defeat against Iceland at the Aviva Stadium.[43]

Career statistics

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As of match played 18 October 2024[44]
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
UCD 2009 LOI First Division 13 0 2 0 1 0 — — 16 0
2010 LOI Premier Division 25 1 2 0 0 0 — 2[c] 0 29 1
Total 38 1 4 0 1 0 — 2 0 45 1
Shelbourne 2011 LOI First Division 29 0 6 1 2 0 — 2[c] 0 39 1
2012 LOI Premier Division 23 0 6 0 1 0 — 3[c] 0 33 0
Total 52 0 12 1 3 0 — 5 0 72 1
Dundalk 2013 LOI Premier Division 32 1 4 1 2 0 — 2[c] 0 39 2
2014 32 2 3 0 1 0 4[d] 0 5[e] 0 45 2
2015 33 1 4 0 0 0 2[f] 0 1[g] 0 40 1
2016 33 3 4 0 1 0 12[h] 0 1[g] 0 51 3
Total 120 7 15 1 4 0 18 0 9 0 166 8
Preston North End 2016–17 EFL Championship 7 0 0 0 0 0 — — 7 0
2017–18 3 0 0 0 1 0 — — 4 0
2018–19 0 0 — — — — 0 0
Total 10 0 0 0 1 0 — — 11 0
Doncaster Rovers (loan) 2017–18[45] EFL League One 6 1 — — — — 6 1
Dundee (loan) 2018–19 Scottish Premiership 13 1 — — — — 13 1
Ross County (loan) 2018–19 Scottish Championship 11 1 2 0 — — 2[i] 0 15 1
Dundalk 2019 LOI Premier Division 8 1 0 0 1 0 6[j] 0 1[k] 0 16 1
2020 12 1 4 1 — 6[d] 0 — 22 2
2021 35 1 4 0 — 6[l] 0 1[g] 0 46 1
2022 32 0 3 0 — — — 35 0
2023 18 1 1 0 — 4[l] 0 0[c] 0 23 1
2024 26 0 0 0 — — 1[c] 0 27 0
Total 131 4 12 1 1 0 22 0 3 0 169 5
Waterford 2025 LOI Premier Division 0 0 0 0 — — 0[m] 0 0 0
Career total 381 15 45 3 10 0 40 0 21 0 507 18
  1. ^ Includes FAI Cup, FA Cup & Scottish Cup
  2. ^ Includes League of Ireland Cup & EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b c d e f Appearances in Leinster Senior Cup
  4. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. ^ Appearances in Setanta Sports Cup
  6. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. ^ a b c Appearances in President of Ireland's Cup
  8. ^ 6 appearances in UEFA Champions League and 6 appearances in UEFA Europa League
  9. ^ Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  10. ^ 4 appearances in UEFA Champions League, 2 appearances in UEFA Europa League
  11. ^ Appearances in Champions Cup
  12. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League
  13. ^ Appearances in Munstsr Senior Cup

Honours

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Club

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UCD
Dundalk
Ross County

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "Retained List 2016-17" (PDF). English Football League. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Andy Boyle". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Andy Boyle - Football Stats - Dundee - Age 27 - Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com.
  4. ^ "Andy Boyle – UEFA player profile". UEFA. 30 August 2016. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Bittersweet night for Dundalk star as he equals Glen Crowes European". the42. the42. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  6. ^ "CLUB NEWS: Four Ex Players Involved In Dundalk's Success". Cherry Orchard F.C. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  7. ^ "Belvedere v Crumlin Utd - NIB SFAI Under-15 Cup Final Photos". Sportsfile. sportsfile.ie. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  8. ^ Fitzmaurive, Aidan. "Boyle - 'This is the chance of a lifetime for us'". Herald. herald.ie. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Player Profile: Andrew Boyle". Airtricity League Stats Centre. Retrieved 3 November 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Andy Boyle". Dundalk Football Club. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  11. ^ a b "Andrew Boyle - Dundalk". Extratime.ie. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  12. ^ "Report - FAI Cup - Greystones FC -v- Shelbourne". Extratime.ie. 5 June 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  13. ^ "Report - FAI Cup - Sheriff YC -v- Shelbourne". Extratime.ie. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  14. ^ "Sheriff YC thrown out of FAI Cup". The42. 5 September 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  15. ^ "FAI Ford Senior Challenge Cup 2011". Football Association of Ireland. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2016. Shelbourne later awarded tie 3-0
  16. ^ "Shelbourne 4-3 Limerick". RTÉ Sport. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  17. ^ "Report - FAI Cup - Shelbourne -v- St Patrick's Athletic". Extratime.ie. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  18. ^ "The Morning Score: Tuesday". The42. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  19. ^ "Sligo Rovers win FAI Cup after penalty shoot-out". RTÉ Sport. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  20. ^ "Report - EA Sports Cup - Shelbourne -v- Bohemians". Extratime.ie. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  21. ^ "Shelbourne 1 - 2 Sligo Rovers". Airtricity League Stats Centre. 27 June 2011. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  22. ^ "Report - EA Sports Cup - Shelbourne -v- Bray Wanderers". Extratime.ie. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  23. ^ 2015 Premier Division Team of the Year, sponsored by EA SPORTS|http://www.pfai.ie/premier-division-team-year
  24. ^ Blake, Ben. "'I don't know what you're supposed to do with your arm in that situation' - Boyle on penalty decision". The 42. the42.ie. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  25. ^ Reilly, Caoimhin. "Boyle: We can hold our heads high". Extratime. extratime.ie. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  26. ^ "Andy Boyle focusing on whirlwind ride before making call on future". RTÉ Sport. rte.ie/sport. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  27. ^ Coombs, Dan. "Ipswich Town weigh up move for Dundalk centre-back Andy Boyle, available on a free". HITC Sport. hitc.com. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  28. ^ "Andy Boyle And Daryl Horgan To Join In January". pnefc.net. 12 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  29. ^ https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2018/january/boyle-joins-rovers/ Boyle joins Rovers
  30. ^ "Steven Caulker exits Dundee as Calvin Miller, Andy Boyle & Ryan Inniss arrive". BBC Sport. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  31. ^ "Dundee: Andy Boyle, Calvin Miller & Adil Nabi leave Dens Park". BBC Sport. 30 December 2018. Retrieved 31 December 2018.
  32. ^ "Staggies sign defender Boyle on loan". Press and Journal. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  33. ^ "Preston North End: Championship club release six players at end of season". BBC Sport. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
  34. ^ "EA Sports Cup final: Dundalk beat 10-man Derry on penalties". BBC Sport. 14 September 2019. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  35. ^ https://www.the42.ie/andy-boyle-6541329-Nov2024/
  36. ^ https://waterfordfc.ie/2024/11/13/boyle-is-a-blue/
  37. ^ "Statistics: Under 15 - Andrew Boyle". SoccerScene.ie. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  38. ^ "Statistics: Under 18 - Andy Boyle". SoccerScene.ie. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  39. ^ "Statistics: Under 19 - Andy Boyle". SoccerScene.ie. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  40. ^ "Long ruled out as Dundalk duo named in Irish squad". 2 November 2016.
  41. ^ Fitzmaurice, Aidan. "'It was a nice surprise': Dundalk duo delighted to get a chance to impress O'Neill and Keane in Ireland set-up". Irish Independent. independent.ie. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  42. ^ "'Model professional' Boyle may have surprised people - Kenny". RTÉ Sport. rte.ie/sport. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  43. ^ "Iceland's Hordur Magnusson proves too much for Ireland's second string". Guardian. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
  44. ^ "Andy Boyle". www.soccerway.com. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  45. ^ "Tom Anderson – Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  46. ^ "Dundalk dominate PFAI team of the year". RTÉ Sport. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  47. ^ "Seven Dundalk stars in PFAI Team of the Year". RTÉ Sport. 22 October 2015. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  48. ^ "Dundalk and Cork dominate PFAI team of the year". RTÉ Sport. rte.ie. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
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