Physical and mental well-being has Saoirse Noonan primed for club and country

Ireland stars Ellen Molloy, Saoirse Noonan, and Áine O’Gorman in Abbotstown as Sky announced the five recipients of the first WNT Bursary Fund: Éabha O’Mahony, O’Gorman, Noonan, Molloy, and Grace Moloney. The funding will help further develop their careers and education off the pitch and reinforces Sky’s commitment to developing the women’s game. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

She had emerged from some dark corners during her comeback and Saoirse Noonan was anxious to avoid the original scene when finally on the pitch.

Six months on from sustaining a knee injury that stalled her progression into the English professional ranks, the Cork star admits to suffering flashbacks on her return.