Saoirse and Eoin Noonan focusing on different missions

It’s very much a family affair for Saoirse Noonan at the Uefa Women’s U17 European Championships as her brother also plays a key role in Iceland.

The Cork siblings are performing different roles – Saoirse is a midfield playmaker for the Republic of Ireland U17s, Eoin is a photographer with Sportsfile — but they are fully focused on their respective jobs.

The pair will be in action today (kick-off 2pm Irish time) with Saoirse expected to start for Dave Connell’s side in their crucial Group B clash with Switzerland, while Eoin will be on the sidelines taking snaps of the game.

With their parents, Peter and Deirdre, and younger sister, Aoibhe, also in Reykjavik for the tournament, the Noonans are certainly a family that supports each other and they travel far and wide to do so.

“It’s an honour to be able to photograph the team and to watch my sister play for Ireland on such a big stage as I know how much she has put into it,” said Eoin. “I knew that I would be coming out to Iceland to support Saoirse, but I only got the accreditation from Sportsfile a week before the tournament. Ray McManus at Sportsfile has been brilliant for me and I appreciate the opportunity.

“This is the biggest thing that I’ve done for Sportsfile so far, but I’m just the guy behind the camera, it’s more about Saoirse and the Ireland team. I’m very proud of her and hopefully Ireland can win now against Switzerland.” Having lost their first game of the tournament – 1-0 against France last Monday – Connell’s team, who are known as the Ice Queens, realise the importance of collecting three points this afternoon.

With the game being held at Iceland’s national stadium and the pressure on to secure a place in the semi-finals, Saoirse acknowledges that it’s time to rise to the occasion but she’s confident that they will do just that.

“It means the world to be here at these finals. I’ll give it everything to help the team to beat Switzerland. I know that it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and we’ll fight as a family and die as a family on the pitch,” said Saoirse.

After scoring the winner against England in qualifying for this tournament, Saoirse can deliver on the big stage