Cavan footballer signs with Exeter City

Exeter City have confirmed the signing of Irish midfielder Jake Doyle-Hayes from League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers.

The 26-year-old joins the League One outfit for an undisclosed fee, marking a return to English football after a career in Scotland, England and Ireland.

Doyle-Hayes reunites with Exeter manager Gary Caldwell, who previously coached him at Hibernian.

Caldwell was full of praise for the Ballyjamesduff native, calling him “a really competitive, aggressive midfield player” with strong technical and physical attributes.

“He can play as an eight or a six,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon. “He’s technically very good, physically very good.”

Caldwell added that Doyle-Hayes had been on his radar for several transfer windows and believes he can play a major role in Exeter’s midfield.

Doyle-Hayes began his senior career at Aston Villa, making three appearances in the EFL Cup after progressing through their youth system.

He went on to gain valuable first-team experience on loan at Cambridge United and Cheltenham Town.

In 2020, he moved to St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership, where he featured in 30 matches before joining Hibernian in 2021.

His time at Hibs was mixed. While he played 70 games for the Edinburgh side, his spell was ultimately curtailed by injury.

He left Hibernian by mutual consent in January 2025 after which he returned to Ireland and signed with Sligo Rovers, re-establishing match fitness and form.

Exeter triggered a release clause in his contract on August 2, securing his services ahead of the new League One campaign.

His arrival follows other Irish signings at the club, including 18-year-old Charlie Cummins from Cobh Ramblers in January 2024.