Hibs boss eyes Sligo striker Doyle

Hibs boss Pat Fenlon was today weighing up a move for Sligo Rovers striker Eoin Doyle.

Fenlon, who arrived at Easter Road less than four weeks ago, is eyeing 6ft centre forward Doyle as his first signing having seen Hibs fail to score in his opening two games in charge. The 23-year-old, who is expected to be assessed at Hibs’ East Mains training base, plundered 25 goals in the League of Ireland season just ended, and an added attraction for Fenlon is the fact Doyle – a free agent – would not command a transfer fee. Doyle has tallied around a goal every three games in his two-and-a-half years at Sligo, and he helped the west of Ireland side finish runners-up in the league in the campaign just passed and reach three FAI Cup finals, winning the last two. He was shortlisted for Ireland’s Players’ Player of the Year last month. If Hibs choose to move for the player, Fenlon and Doyle could be united for the second time in their respective careers.

As a young striker of particular promise, Doyle spent his formative years in the youth team of Dublin club Shelbourne at the turn of the Millennium, where Fenlon enjoyed great success in the senior side over the same period. Fenlon is also known to be interested in further bolstering his attack with the permanent signing of on-loan striker Leigh Griffiths, who has been told by parent club Wolves that he is available for transfer.