Noonan won't complain if new recruits take her seat on World Cup plane

Just 20 spots on the flight to Australia are available for outfield players and there are newly qualified players in the mix.

At Sky Ireland’s International Women’s Day event were Orlaith Ryan, Sky Ireland CCO, with, from left, Eileen Gleeson, FAI Head of Women and Girl's Football, Saoirse Noonan, 2022 Sky WNT Fund Recipient & WNT Player, Aine O’Gorman, 2022 Sky WNT Fund Recipient & WNT Player, and Michelle O’Neill, League of Ireland and FIFA International Assistant Referee. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Strikers are their own biggest critics. When Saoirse Noonan finally got to realise her cross-channel dream, delayed by a serious kneecap injury, she had a goal blitz in her sights for Durham FC.

Five goals from 13 starts in the English Championship isn’t a record to be scoffed at but the fact there was a four-month wait for last weekend’s finish against Coventry left her agonised.