Family support makes Saoirse Noonan’s homecoming extra 'special'

SPECIAL: Ireland's Saoirse Noonan with fans after the game. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

It took Saoirse Noonan just 19 minutes into her first competitive start to register her second goal for the Republic of Ireland.

But while her maiden strike against Georgia back in November 2021 meant the world to her, this finish arguably meant more to the Cork native.

This time as she wheeled away in celebration after seeing her bullet header from close-range hit the roof of the net, she did so in front of her home fans, almost 10,000 of them that had packed into Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

And this time, rather than the finish coming late on a 9-0 hammering, it proved to be the only goal, although that would also come as a disappointment given the fact Ireland needed to win by four or more to snatch an automatic place in League A from their opponents Slovenia.

But for Noonan, and her family, the goal will forever be remembered.

“I knew they were up above in that stand, so it was really special,” began the former Douglas Hall, Cork City and Shelbourne forward, who had already played here with the Cork Ladies Footballers and scored here during her Sciath na Scol days.

“My grandad would’ve been a proud man tonight. He’s at every game. And my granny, this is the first time she has seen me play senior, so it was emotional, it meant a lot to me.

“Being in Cork was enough motivation in itself, wearing the Irish jersey as well was enough motivation, I didn’t need anything else, but it (her family watching) does add that little bit of grit.

“Coming back wearing a different shirt, it’s the same feeling, you’re representing something you are really proud of, so it was phenomenal.

“It was a bit surreal. Obviously it was my first competitive start so first I was just trying to find my feet, ease my way into the game and not get caught up in the moment.

"It’s unbelievable, I’m absolutely delighted. Carla called out the team last night so when I got the nod, I just told my parents and asked them to keep it quiet and just try to treat it like any other game.

"But, yeah, what a feeling. When it went in and hit off my head, I just saw it dipping and yeah, I don’t even know how I celebrated or anything. I just had a little moment, took a deep breath and then switched my focus because we wanted to get that next goal quick.

"When we got that goal, I think we thought ‘we have a 1-0 lead, let’s see if we can get another one before half time, that was the focus.

“We were pushing, we were unlucky and maybe there were one or two little decisions that we could have made better but it’s about building, this team is good and we’re working hard every day and we’re growing.

“You can see the growth from the first time Carla came in until now, even for myself, I just feel each camp and each day, it feels like we are getting better and this something to build on now going forward.

“Obviously we want to be happy we won but you still have that in the back of your mind that we didn’t top the group and they’re off celebrating because they did.

"We have to be proud of ourselves, it’s still a win, it’s still international level and wins don’t come around that easy.

“I have to thank Carla (Ward) for bringing me back and giving me minutes, leaving me keep going with confidence.

“When I got the nod to play, I felt like I owed it to the staff, they have so much belief in me, so I’m delighted. We got the win, but obviously we wanted to score four goals and top the group as well.”

Ireland Playoff picture

The four teams finishing third in the League A groups will play off with the four League B group runners-up over two legs.

The winners will play in League A for the European Qualifiers phase for the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup; the defeated teams will play in League B. The draw takes place on Friday.

All ties will be played between October 22 to 28.

League A third-place teams: Austria (Fifa ranking: 18), Iceland (13), Belgium (20) and Denmark (12).

League B second-place teams: Republic of Ireland (26), Northern Ireland (44), Finland (25), Czechia (30).