'Football doing the talking for me' says Noonan ahead of Greek test

Noonan is competing for a spot in the team against rivals based in the American (Kyra Carusa), English (Leanne Kiernan) and Belgium (Amber Barrett) top-flights but she’s currently the lead singer humming sweet music for Celtic.

Of her 23 goals this term for Celtic, all but two have been scored inside the penalty area.

The Cork native is relieved to be back in the squad, seeking to add a fifth cap to the fourth she won almost two years ago under Vera Pauw. Ireland face Greece in back-to-back Nations League fixtures over the next week.

“I definitely bring something different to the team in terms of how I play,” said the 25-year-old about her attributes. “I’m an old fashioned No 9 and play like No 9 inside the box.

“The other girls are phenomenal players. I learn from being around them but hopefully I can show them one or two things as well.” 

When Noonan’s name didn’t appear on Ward’s first roster last month, she could easily have interpreted it as his international ambitions drifting further.

She’d been part of Eileen Gleeson’s panel for the first Nations League series 18 months ago but realised her status in the English Championship at Lewes put her at a disadvantage.

Standards in Scotland are open to debate but Noonan was integral to the club breaking new ground by reaching the group stages of the Champions League this season.

That they’re in fourth place of the split table, behind Hibernian, Rangers and Glasgow City at least differentiates the women’s equivalent from the duopoly of the men’s league.

“I dropped Carla a message to ask what areas I needed to focus on,” Noonan said, outlining her reaction to the initial omission.

“I was scoring goals but wasn’t in the squad so I wanted to see what I could do to impress the manager.

“Right now, football is doing the talking for me. Scoring gives me confidence, allowing me to feel I could ask what Carla wanted from her attackers.

“Whereas beforehand, I didn’t feel I’d the right to. I knew the players ahead of me deserved their places but this time I felt I was in a strong position.

“Carla got straight back in touch, we jumped on a call and it went from there.” 

Rather than jumping straight from English Championship to Super League, Noonan rerouted into Scotland at the start of last season. Her ambitions remain intact.

“Anyone in our position playing professional football always wants to make the next step,” reasons the former Cork City and Shelbourne forward.

“I moved to Celtic because I saw the opportunity of playing in the Champions League.

“I felt it would suit me and I’d score more goals. I’m not naïve or silly because I know the likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea are the next step. Obviously that’s everybody’s ambition but it’s a case of whether I can go.

“I can only keep doing what I’m doing and it will take time for me. I’m enjoying this position. In the back of my head, this was the step to get back into the Ireland squad.” 

Gradually switching to the front of her head is the sight of Pairc Uí Chaoímh. As a former dual star, winning the league and playing in an All-Ireland final for Cork, history is within Noonan’s grasp. Were she to line up in the final NL game against Slovenia on June 3, she’d become the only person to enjoy senior competitive game-time in football and GAA.

Her grandmother Eileen O’Callaghan, from Ballyphehane near Turner’s Cross, would be equally proud.

“Playing in Cork firstly and representing your country would be amazing,” she visualises.

“Especially because all my whole family could attend. My granny never missed an underage international so for her to see me play a senior competitive game, that’s better than any history I could make.”