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Eoin Toal has high hopes that his second year in English football can be even more successful than the last.
Twelve months ago the Northern Irish defender was a newcomer to Ian Evatt’s starting line-up but a goal to seal a point against today’s opponents Lincoln City catapulted him to become a regular presence in the back three.
A year on, with international caps also under his belt, the Armagh native is proud with the speed he has established himself in League One since moving from Derry City.
“At the start I was just trying to get in,” he said. “I’d played a few games before Lincoln but the goal really kicked me on and the put some confidence behind me. That was a good moment for myself.
“We had a really good run after Christmas to get us into the play-offs, which was our aim.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t end the way we wanted but hopefully this time we can keep pushing on and it has certainly been a great year for me on a personal note.”
Unsurprisingly, the highlight of 2023 for Toal was winning the Papa Johns Trophy at Wembley in April – even though it came at some personal cost, as he picked up a bad ankle injury in the game.
“It wasn’t ideal but it was certainly still a great day,” he recalled. “It was a big moment for everyone involved at the club and a great achievement for myself in my first season, to go to Wembley, play there and help to win a cup. It was unfortunate with the injury but hopefully that is all behind me now and I am looking forward to what is next.”
Toal is due to make his 50th appearance for Wanderers at Lincoln and even wore the captain’s armband in a recent cup game at Stockport County.
“I was quite surprised to get it but it was an honour to wear the armband at this club, and also to get a good win as well,” he said.
Toal has also established himself at international level, and he is looking forward to making further strides with both club and country in 2024.
He said: “It was also a proud moment to represent my country as a full international. I had to wait my chance, I had been in the squad since March and then thankfully got one against Slovenia in October, which was a great moment.
“Things have been going well. Last season was my first in England and we’re just a few months into this one. I just want to keep learning the game.
“The staff here have been brilliant with me, with the way we play I am learning every day.
“I’m really enjoying things at the moment and hopefully next year will be just as good.”
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