Shamrock Rovers continued their historic run in this season’s UEFA Conference League by taking a big step into the last 16 after a 1-0 win at Norweigan side Molde. 16-year-old Michael Noonan scored the winner, the forward making his debut for the Hoops after signing from League of Ireland rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic.
The forward will grab the headlines and rightly so, as he was excellent for over 80 minutes before being replaced by veteran striker Aaron Greene.
UEFA Conference League Display Seals Historic European Victory
Stephen Bradley’s side had already become the first in Irish Football to progress past the group or league phase of a European Competition and have every opportunity for further progression after the win in Norway.
Molde seen several key players fall to injury during the game and with their squad stretched ahead of the second leg, the momentum is well and truly with the League of Ireland club.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Noonan, who played in attack alongside former Lincoln City player Daniel Mandroiu. The duo were supported by a three-man midfield with wing-backs on either side.
26-year-old Mandroiu often drifted into pockets between Molde’s defence and midfield, leaving the prospect as the main outlet in attack.
He did not disappoint and when left facing down Valdemar Lund just before half-time, forced the Molde player into a last-man challenge that seen the host reduced to ten men.
Noonan bagged the winner after tapping in from close range ahead of a defender after some work from Dylan Watts to win back possession in the opposition box.
In addition to his match-changing contributions, Noonan was a major outlet in attack and never stopped pressing opposition defenders.
Johnny Kenny being recalled by Celtic was a major blow to the Hoops but there is the potential for significant game time for the 16-year-old if he can maintain this level of performance.
Mason Melia’s Premier League Move Provides Pathway For Noonan
Noonan’s rising star is fresh off the back of the emergence of another St. Patrick’s Athletic star in Mason Melia.
The 17-year-old will move to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur in January 2026 after securing a move in a deal that is a record fee received by a League of Ireland club, rumoured to be in the region of £1.5 million initially.
Irish football has struggled to produce players of this talent in recent history but there is a clear trend in the right direction with these two talented individuals.
Melia has played 54 times for Pats and scored ten goals but he has proven to be a useful outlet in midfield in addition to leading the line and there has been less pressure on his shoulders to continue output while playing deeper.
He made six appearances in his team’s run to the final qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League last summer.
This has helped Melia to develop physically and work on other areas of his game, a luxury that may not be offered to Noonan, judging by his predatory instincts inside the penalty area.
Patience Required to Turn Prospect in League of Ireland Star
The 16-year-old is an excellent talent but it is unlikely he will be starting every week initially in the League of Ireland and it would be of no benefit for him to be expected to be competing at the top of the goalscoring charts in 2025.
He is facing his first senior campaign with the biggest club in the country and while fans should continue to enjoy his development, an element of patience must be exercised if he is to develop into the type of talent that sees the League of Ireland export another multi-million talent.