How a pub staff member became Ireland's most clinical attacking midfielder
In short: From working shifts at Gibney's pub to scoring historic hat-tricks for his country, Jack Moylan’s rise through the Irish football ranks has been nothing short of extraordinary. His journey from the Bohemians academy to the English Championship highlights a rapid ascent driven by clinical finishing and remarkable consistency.
Born in Bayside on 1 September 2001, Jack Moylan’s professional path began in earnest when he joined the Bohemians academy in March 2017. Led by manager Keith Long, he was the academy's initial acquisition, rapidly demonstrating his talent through consecutive Under-19 National League championships in 2018 and 2019. His early exposure to European competition against teams like Midtjylland and PAOK provided a vital foundation for the versatile attacker who could operate as an attacking midfielder or left winger.
Moylan's breakout period arrived during his time with Shelbourne. On 13 May 2023, he recorded his first career hat-trick in a 3–0 victory over Sligo Rovers. He finished that season with 15 league goals, a tally that saw him finish as the joint-top scorer in the League of Ireland alongside Jonathan Afolabi. This prolific form earned him the October 2023 Player of the Month award and a spot in the PFAI Team of the Year.
His move to Lincoln City in early 2024 marked a significant step into English football. Despite an ankle injury in August 2025 that required three months of recovery, Moylan returned to drive the club's promotion efforts, scoring four goals and earning a place in the EFL League One Team of the Season for 2025–26. His impact was so profound that Cardiff City paid a club-record fee to sign him in August 2026. On the international stage, he made history on 16 May 2026, scoring a second-half hat-trick against Grenada—the first Irish player to achieve a debut hat-trick in 39 years.
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