Michael Noonan to miss FAI Cup final against Cork City due to World Cup clash

“I definitely won't be standing in Michael's way of going and representing his country and playing in the World Cup," said Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley.

Sun, 05 Oct, 2025 - 21:42

John Fallon

Teen sensation Michael Noonan won’t be part of the Shamrock Rovers artillery for the FAI Cup final against Cork City as he’ll be representing Ireland at the U17 World Cup.

Noonan has been a sensation since being lured to Tallaght from St Patrick’s Athletic in the off-season, scoring at 16 against Molde to become the Conference League’s youngest scorer.

His brace in Sunday’s 6-1 semi-final victory over Kerry gives Rovers their opportunity of a first double since 1987 on November 9 but Noonan will be away with his country.

Colin O’Brien’s side face Panama on November 5, Uzbekistan three days later and Paraguay on November 11 in the group phase of the 48-team showpiece.

Cork City’s Brody Lee faces the same predicament.

“Michael will go to the World Cup,” said Rovers manager Stephen Bradley about the clash, which also rules the 17-year-old out of Rovers’ Conference League visit to AEK Athens on November 6.

“It's an incredible opportunity for him. It'll be a brilliant part of his development.

“For me, he has to go and play and experience that. And do his best for his country. That won't be an issue.

“I definitely won't be standing in Michael's way of going and representing his country and playing in the World Cup. They don't come around too often. I would want him to do that.”

There is a remote chance that Noonan, who can’t move to a UK club until next July after he turns 18 due to Brexit rules, could juggle his commitments to feature for both club and country in November but Bradley isn’t banking on it.

“If we can work it out that he plays for us and then meets up, then we'll obviously talk to the FAI but we haven't really had any discussions,” he said.