Eoin Toal

Eoin Toal lifted the League One play-off trophy with Bolton Wanderers in 2026 as captain, having watched the final from the sidelines. An injury ruled him out of the match that sealed promotion to the Championship, but he had played in the semi-finals, and the armband was his when the trophy was raised.

His route to that point started in Gaelic football, which he played until the age of 14 before switching to association football at Armagh City. He made his senior debut there in 2015, aged 16.

In July 2017 he joined Derry City on a free transfer and stayed five years. He became a key player and captain, and made more than 150 appearances. Derry won the League of Ireland Cup in 2018 and finished as runners-up the following year.

Bolton signed him in July 2022 on a three-year contract, for a fee reported at around £50,000. He was named the club's Player of the Month for December 2022, and that season he started the 4–0 EFL Trophy final win over Plymouth Argyle.

Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign Bolton made him club captain. He scored his first goal in the role in August 2025, in a win against Plymouth Argyle, the same opponents as in the 2023 final. In 2026 he was nominated for the PFA League One Community Champion award.

Toal represents Northern Ireland at senior level. He made his debut on 17 October 2023 in a UEFA Euro 2024 qualifier against Slovenia, which Northern Ireland lost 1–0. By late 2025 he had won 10 or 11 caps without scoring.