Michael Noonan F Shamrock Rovers b.2008

[elatedscum]

probably looking at about 6 years, serving half of that. really sad for Michael. hopefully he's old enough to handle it and respond to it well.

[Diggs246]

Sounds like his dad's off to jail anyway. Might be the best place for him in terms of Michael's football career in truth.

https://x.com/SteBreen/status/1918304941472436465?t=vvwnN3E-CNJjQRC1uZo00A&s=19

Everyone is better off without this guy, his son, society everybody

I hope he gets a lot more than 6 years

Here's some of his other work

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/we-have-no-closure-heartbroken-family-of-innocent-postman-36-who-was-left-in-vegetative-state-after-shooting/36270303.html

[seanfhear]

Everyone is better off without this guy, his son, society everybody

I hope he gets a lot more than 6 years

Here's some of his other work

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/we-have-no-closure-heartbroken-family-of-innocent-postman-36-who-was-left-in-vegetative-state-after-shooting/36270303.htmlThere is some Scumbags among us.

You'd wonder would capital punishment deter some of these scumbags ? Public hanging ? !

[pineapple stu]

I think in fairness capital punishment has long been shown to not have the deterrence effect its proponents suggest. If it did, America (which has capital punishment) wouldn't have such a high crime rate.

I think there needs to be more done around drugs - from a police resource point of view, and from an education point of view. Plenty of people taking coke or stronger on a vaguely regular basis and don't consider themselves part of the problem.

[seanfhear]

I think in fairness capital punishment has long been shown to not have the deterrence effect its proponents suggest. If it did, America (which has capital punishment) wouldn't have such a high crime rate.

I think there needs to be more done around drugs - from a police resource point of view, and from an education point of view. Plenty of people taking coke or stronger on a vaguely regular basis and don't consider themselves part of the problem.
You don't get much re-offending after capital punishment !

Premeditated murderers / child killers / child abusers ~ At this stage I would be willing to do that lot, when there would be overwhelming evidence.

And, I used to be against capital punishment !

[tetsujin1979]

I would be intrigued to read this evidence

[pineapple stu]

You don't get much re-offending after capital punishment !
You were talking about deterrence, now you're talking about re-offending.

They're different things.

[Eirambler]

13 and a half years for the dad. If he serves half he'll be out when Michael is 23.

[pateen]

Back to the soccer .... scored a nice poachers goal on Friday.

[liamoo11]

Back to the soccer .... scored a nice poachers goal on Friday.

It's been a great move. He would have been very limited in appearances at Pats I'd say

[Eirambler]

"Stephen Bradley won't stand in way of Shamrock Rovers star playing for Ireland at U17 World Cup"

https://www.the42.ie/michael-noonan-shamrock-rovers-ireland-6836040-Oct2025/?utm_source=shortlink

I should bloody hope he doesn't stand in his way, is Bradley looking for a ticker tape parade for his act of outstanding generosity or something?!

Talk about allowing someone to frame the media narrative.

[tetsujin1979]

I think I read that clubs don't have to release players for the tournament

[Eirambler]

It would be very poor form to hold him back from this opportunity, and would reflect very poorly in terms of the desire that exists within the league to keep players in the country beyond their 16th birthdays.

[elatedscum]

Realistically he's due to miss the game away to AEK Athens and the FAI Cup Final. If we reach the final then he'll miss the home game v Shakhtar. Not insignificant for Rovers but you've got to release players for a world cup.

I think Rovers would recognise that in terms of increasing his market value, Noonan having a great tournament could be a game changer and it's also possible that part of the reason Arsenal wrapped up Victor's signing so early was because he was due to head to the u17 world cup and if he had a really excellent tournament then heads could be turned across Europe

[tetsujin1979]

The top scorers at the last U17 World Cup were
Paris Brunner(Germany), signed for Monaco and gone on loan to Club Brugge
Ibrahim Diarra(Mali) joined Barcelona's B Team
Claudio Echeverri(Argentina) signed for Man City from River Plate, currently on loan at Leverkusen
Agustín Ruberto(Argentina) still with River Plate, has played and scored for their first team

[ontheotherhand]

"Stephen Bradley won't stand in way of Shamrock Rovers star playing for Ireland at U17 World Cup"

https://www.the42.ie/michael-noonan-shamrock-rovers-ireland-6836040-Oct2025/?utm_source=shortlink

I should bloody hope he doesn't stand in his way, is Bradley looking for a ticker tape parade for his act of outstanding generosity or something?!

Talk about allowing someone to frame the media narrative.

“Michael will go to the World Cup. It’s an incredible opportunity for him. It’ll be a brilliant part of his development,” said Bradley

"How dare he" said angry man on foot.ie.

[Eirambler]

“Michael will go to the World Cup. It’s an incredible opportunity for him. It’ll be a brilliant part of his development,” said Bradley

"How dare he" said angry man on foot.ie.

“Michael will go to the World Cup. It’s an incredible opportunity for him. It’ll be a brilliant part of his development,” said Bradley, "but I'm still trying to rig his incredible opportunity so that he misses two World Cup games but no Shamrock Rovers games at the point where the fixtures clash".

He should be told in no uncertain terms to **** off.

[ontheotherhand]

“Michael will go to the World Cup. It’s an incredible opportunity for him. It’ll be a brilliant part of his development,” said Bradley, "but I'm still trying to rig his incredible opportunity so that he misses two World Cup games but no Shamrock Rovers games at the point where the fixtures clash".

He should be told in no uncertain terms to **** off.


Ah so you're annoyed about the bit he didn't say? That makes more sense tbf. Carry on.

[Eirambler]

Bradley admitted the club will now speak with the FAI about Noonan's schedule and the possibility of him skipping the first two World Cup group games against Panama on 5 November and Uzbekistan three days later before travelling for the final fixture with Paraguay on 11 November.

"We haven't really had any discussions but now we'll have them. And if that's a possibility [for him to miss the first two games], that's obviously what I would like."

It can't be much clearer than that really. Again, he should be told in no uncertain terms to **** off.

[ontheotherhand]

Bradley admitted the club will now speak with the FAI about Noonan's schedule and the possibility of him skipping the first two World Cup group games against Panama on 5 November and Uzbekistan three days later before travelling for the final fixture with Paraguay on 11 November.

"We haven't really had any discussions but now we'll have them. And if that's a possibility [for him to miss the first two games], that's obviously what I would like."

It can't be much clearer than that really. Again, he should be told in no uncertain terms to **** off.

You've gone from that to "but I'm still trying to rig his incredible opportunity so that he misses two World Cup games but no Shamrock Rovers games at the point where the fixtures clash"?

He's his manager, and you're upset that he would want him for the biggest game in Irish football? Michael will go if he wants to and play the cup final if he wants to and can. The idea that Bradley would stand in his way after he said he wouldn't is deluded. He hasn't stood in any Rover's players way when it comes to call ups and often actively advocates for it. It's good for the club and player. You've a weird record on here of being ****ed off over things that aren't controversial where Bradley is concerned.

[Eirambler]

Well, at least you seem to be admitting he said it now, which is some small bit of progress if nothing else I suppose. It does mean you've had to change your argument to get around that unfortunate fact though.

Shamrock Rovers will play in plenty of cup finals and plenty of Conference League games. If Noonan ends up being ****ter than he's expected to be then he can play in plenty of them too. But, being Irish, there's a reasonable chance that this will be his only World Cup at any level.

People go on about how important it is for young players to stay in Ireland until they're 18. Then, when a player does just that, one of our managers tries to deny him an opportunity of a lifetime to play a full part in a World Cup campaign purely out of self interest. So, I'll say it again.

He should be told in no uncertain terms to **** off.

[ontheotherhand]

Well, at least you seem to be admitting he said it now, which is some small bit of progress if nothing else I suppose. It does mean you've had to change your argument to get around that unfortunate fact though.

Shamrock Rovers will play in plenty of cup finals and plenty of Conference League games. If Noonan ends up being ****ter than he's expected to be then he can play in plenty of them too. But, being Irish, there's a reasonable chance that this will be his only World Cup at any level.

People go on about how important it is for young players to stay in Ireland until they're 18. Then, when a player does just that, one of our managers tries to deny him an opportunity of a lifetime to play a full part in a World Cup campaign purely out of self interest. So, I'll say it again.

He should be told in no uncertain terms to **** off.

He didn't say what you quoted him as saying at all so I don't really have to change anything. Just decided it's best to maybe try to explain to you what the situation likely is as you seem to have decided to be angry without knowing much about the players desire or what Bradley actually said. There's a bit of paraphrasing in the quotes you shared. At best, he said he would like him to play the cup final even if it means missing two games of the WC. He's not denying him anything. He literally said he wouldn't. Michael himself said he wanted to be in the team for the cup final so maybe he thinks that combining that with a few u17 WC games is the ideal world.

And "Shamrock Rovers will play in plenty of cup finals" - That sounds lovely but it's not in any way accurate unfortunately. Those days long gone. Michael turns 18 in July next year and this would likely be his only chance to play in a cup final. It would be part of a double winning season so it's even more special.

Anyway, I know we tend to overdo it on here. You're probably a decent lad. Think you're upset over nothing and have a bit of an overreaction to Bradley in general, but I'm also trying to poke you a bit and it's not great reading for the forum. Have a good night.

[CraftyToePoke]

Anyway, I know we tend to overdo it on here. You're probably a decent lad. Think you're upset over nothing and have a bit of an overreaction to Bradley in general, but I'm also trying to poke you a bit and it's not great reading for the forum. Have a good night.

Ah, Eirambler is still upset over Stephen Kenny. Upset is his happy place. He takes likes & dislikes & they embed & set. I await the same levels of vitriol toward HH if we collapse on Saturday v Portugal, which Kenny's sides never did. Didn't collapse at Wembley either for that matter. Both having lost unacceptably to minnows, you'd imagine HH will get the full Eirambler works.

He won't though.

[ontheotherhand]

Ah, Eirambler is still upset over Stephen Kenny. Upset is his happy place. He takes likes & dislikes & they embed & set. I await the same levels of vitriol toward HH if we collapse on Saturday v Portugal, which Kenny's sides never did. Didn't collapse at Wembley either for that matter. Both having lost unacceptably to minnows, you'd imagine HH will get the full Eirambler works.

He won't though.

It's a bit odd really. Maybe it is the Kenny thing but you'd really think Bradley would have a bit more credit in the bank with fans of the Irish u17s in particular. He was instrumental in setting up the Rovers academy which has provided so many players to this current team. Would they have received the same level of coaching without it, and other set ups like it that have done what they can after Brexit with limited resources? Or would they have needed to go abroad to try their luck in France etc? That hasn't really worked out very well in a lot of cases. Personally I think Bradley has done a lot more for Irish football than any international manager in recent years.

He's also more directly responsible for Michael's development after getting him out of Melias shadow and giving him first team experience.

Also has to be remembered that Michael is a Rovers fan. The family are season ticket holders. The cup final and potential double would mean a lot to them.

[Bungle]

I think Shamrock Rovers have a lot of credit in the bank. They have a really good and professional academy, which does a lot in one of the most deprived areas in the country. My mate is a teacher in Tallaght and said Rovers are so involved with the kids, even the ones that are nowhere near good enough for their academy - really encouraging of them staying playing the game. Can't speak highly enough of Bradley and my mate is a Pat's fan.

Certainly, my hope is that if government funding leads to a few more Shamrock Rovers, we will be in a good position in the coming years.

[Eirambler]

Your view on this is clearly coloured by your allegiances. You can spin it any way you want, but the bottom line is that Bradley is making an attempt to restrict Noonan's involvement in the World Cup out of self interest. I think that's really poor form from him, and it's fully appropriate to call it out. He should be doing the decent thing and fully endorsing Noonan going and playing a full part in the tournament, but sadly he isn't doing that.

I don't have a particular view on Bradley other that I think he's a bit too fond of the sound of his own voice and he's a fairly limited manager who would be quickly found out if he ever got anywhere near the Ireland job. I think he has said in the past that he wouldn't want it anyway, so probably we're all on the same page on that score. I wouldn't want him anywhere near it and if he's true to his word then neither would he. He'll probably end up at Lincoln City or somewhere like that in a year or two.

As for Hallgrimsson, unless there's a fairly sudden turnaround in fortunes he'll be gone by Christmas. I'd rather that than have another Stephen Kenny situation where we're lumbered with him for another two years beyond the point when everyone with any sense knows it's a write off. Luckily the Kenny fanboys haven't latched onto Heimir in the same way, so there's unlikely to be any huge backing for him to stay on, unless things turn around fast.

Of course it's what comes after that that's the scary part.

[ontheotherhand]

Your view on this is clearly coloured by your allegiances. You can spin it any way you want, but the bottom line is that Bradley is making an attempt to restrict Noonan's involvement in the World Cup out of self interest. I think that's really poor form from him, and it's fully appropriate to call it out. He should be doing the decent thing and fully endorsing Noonan going and playing a full part in the tournament, but sadly he isn't doing that.

I don't have a particular view on Bradley other that I think he's a bit too fond of the sound of his own voice and he's a fairly limited manager who would be quickly found out if he ever got anywhere near the Ireland job. I think he has said in the past that he wouldn't want it anyway, so probably we're all on the same page on that score. I wouldn't want him anywhere near it and if he's true to his word then neither would he. He'll probably end up at Lincoln City or somewhere like that in a year or two.

As for Hallgrimsson, unless there's a fairly sudden turnaround in fortunes he'll be gone by Christmas. I'd rather that than have another Stephen Kenny situation where we're lumbered with him for another two years beyond the point when everyone with any sense knows it's a write off. Luckily the Kenny fanboys haven't latched onto Heimir in the same way, so there's unlikely to be any huge backing for him to stay on, unless things turn around fast.

Of course it's what comes after that that's the scary part.

So no particular view on him aside from everything you've just said which is pretty particular?

No point going round the houses on what Bradley said really. It's not controversial but if you see it that way that's up to you of course. Michael and Bradley will figure out what's best and hopefully that includes Michael scoring the winner in the Aviva with his Rovers family watching. I know he'd cherish that.

Fwiw Bradley has said he'd like to manage Ireland and went to a meeting about it before HH was appointed. The FAI didn't show up to the meeting. He has been pretty up front with all of that. Doesn't have much time for the FAI and most Ireland fans should appreciate strong voices pushing for improvements there.

As for "Kenny fanboys". My god man, move on. God forbid an Irish manager gets a bit of support. If we are just going to hammer every manager who doesn't get results we might as well pack the international team in for a few decades.

[ifk101]

If Bradley was reluctant to release Noonan, I wouldn’t entirely blame him. The games are being played on back pitches. Our group games will take place in hot desert conditions with no shade on Aspire Zone Pitch 5 and 6. Far from ideal for player welfare and not to mention young kids, and not befitting a WC tournament imo.

[tetsujin1979]

Bradley's first priority, like all club managers, is the club he works for. He wants the club to succeed, and he needs his best players available to him to do that. As an Irish man, working in Irish football, I've no doubt he wants to see the national side succeed, but that will always be secondary to his club's success. There's no real right answer here - should he keep one of his best players to help him win their first cup final in six years, and only second this century, or send him to a high profile tournament that could benefit the club in the long run with increased exposure and increased transfer fee?

As for liking the sound of his own voice, he's the most successful manager in recent years in the LOI, that attracts attention.

[ontheotherhand]

Bradley's first priority, like all club managers, is the club he works for. He wants the club to succeed, and he needs his best players available to him to do that. As an Irish man, working in Irish football, I've no doubt he wants to see the national side succeed, but that will always be secondary to his club's success. There's no real right answer here - should he keep one of his best players to help him win their first cup final in six years, and only second this century, or send him to a high profile tournament that could benefit the club in the long run with increased exposure and increased transfer fee?

As for liking the sound of his own voice, he's the most successful manager in recent years in the LOI, that attracts attention.

True, you also have to figure in whether the u17 WC is a better place for Michael to showcase his talents and develop while ultimately earn Rovers a higher fee. As we've seen with Victor this season, Bradley will keep a player out of the team if it means the player gets the move that's right for him and Rovers.

Ultimately I'd trust them all to figure out the right move here. All parties want Michael to reach his ceiling. Michael will have a strong say in what happens I would be willing to bet. Rovers can manage the cup final without him.

[liamoo11]

Realistically he's due to miss the game away to AEK Athens and the FAI Cup Final. If we reach the final then he'll miss the home game v Shakhtar. Not insignificant for Rovers but you've got to release players for a world cup.

I think Rovers would recognise that in terms of increasing his market value, Noonan having a great tournament could be a game changer and it's also possible that part of the reason Arsenal wrapped up Victor's signing so early was because he was due to head to the u17 world cup and if he had a really excellent tournament then heads could be turned across Europe

I'm not sure how much of a game changer underage world cups are. The under 20 world Cup is on now I've watched a few games very enjoyable but I haven't seen a whole pile of coverage of it in the general media. Even the under 20 world Cup when we finished 3rd didn't do nothing for players careers we actually got very little out of it at senior level outside of duffer obviously. Play I'm a Cup final.in aviva 35 thousand crowd loads of English scouts definitely at it and light it up against men definitely has impact on your value

[ontheotherhand]

TBF scouts aren't using general media. Arsenal bought Victor Ozhianvuna off the back off his performances against them and others in the Hale End Cup. Obviously they continued scouting him but that's where he caught the eye.

Players doing well at an underage cup doesn't mean they are going to have good careers, it just means they are able to stand out against their peers and might be worth investing in.

Agree that lighting it up against men in a senior cup final would probably carry some weight too.

As I said above, I reckon it will all come down to what Michael wants to do. I could see the draw of the u17 WC but.....very hard to miss out on the chance to win a cup final with the club you support in your national stadium in front of a big crowd. That's the stuff of dreams to a lot of people. Tough decision for the kid. Hopefully he can do both, or make the best choice with the guidance of good people around him and have no regrets either way.

[liamoo11]

TBF scouts aren't using general media. Arsenal bought Victor Ozhianvuna off the back off his performances against them and others in the Hale End Cup. Obviously they continued scouting him but that's where he caught the eye.

Players doing well at an underage cup doesn't mean they are going to have good careers, it just means they are able to stand out against their peers and might be worth investing in.

Agree that lighting it up against men in a senior cup final would probably carry some weight too.

As I said above, I reckon it will all come down to what Michael wants to do. I could see the draw of the u17 WC but.....very hard to miss out on the chance to win a cup final with the club you support in your national stadium in front of a big crowd. That's the stuff of dreams to a lot of people. Tough decision for the kid. Hopefully he can do both, or make the best choice with the guidance of good people around him and have no regrets either way.

It would be absolutely nuts for him.to play those first 2 workd Cup games against minnows instead of a cup final and a European game. No one regardless of your scouting credentials is putting any stock in how you perform against Panama and Uzbekistan in front of no spectators. If we can't sort them.out with the rest of the squad we don't deserve to be at the world cup.

[ontheotherhand]

It would be absolutely nuts for him.to play those first 2 workd Cup games against minnows instead of a cup final and a European game. No one regardless of your scouting credentials is putting any stock in how you perform against Panama and Uzbekistan in front of no spectators. If we can't sort them.out with the rest of the squad we don't deserve to be at the world cup.

Ah look im trying to be diplomatic on this side of the forum. The cup final is clearly the more important of the two. Nobody will remember anything about the u17 WC when it's over but he has the chance to make history in the Aviva. Michael might feel otherwise though. He's a proud Irishman as well as a proud hoop.

[John83]

I'm not sure I want to weigh in on the relative merits of the competitions, but good for the kid that he has those choices.

[ontheotherhand]

Well Michael is in the squad and Rovers haven't asked to keep him. As a hoop I'd still hope he could miss one game and play the final but I'd imagine he will stick with the squad. Long auld flight. Shame the dates worked out that way. From what I hear he really wanted to play in the final. Suppose it's all good as we need to sell him before he turns 18 and if he was to finish the group as top scorer that'd help.

[Kingdom]

Suppose it's all good as we need to sell him before he turns 18 and if he was to finish the group as top scorer that'd help.

Am I correct to read that tongue-in-cheek?

[ontheotherhand]

Am I correct to read that tongue-in-cheek?

You'll never know....


But no, not really. Michael's contract is up in Nov of 2026. For us to command a fee a deal will need to be done before then or it will be just compensation. Sort of expected one to be done already tbh, similar to Victors. City were interested in him while he was with Pats but I haven't heard much this season.

[TonyD]

You'll never know....


But no, not really. Michael's contract is up in Nov of 2026. For us to command a fee a deal will need to be done before then or it will be just compensation. Sort of expected one to be done already tbh, similar to Victors. City were interested in him while he was with Pats but I haven't heard much this season.

Yeah, to be honest I'd have expected a deal done by now too. When does he turn 18 ? To me he looks probably at least as impressive as Melia, and I say that as a Pats fan. Its good for Rovers that they have him under contract for another year, and if he keeps going as he is it looks odds on that someone will sign him in the interim. Ideal for Rovers is if they can do a similar deal that Pats did for Mason, and keep him for the full season.

[ontheotherhand]

Yeah, to be honest I'd have expected a deal done by now too. When does he turn 18 ? To me he looks probably at least as impressive as Melia, and I say that as a Pats fan. Its good for Rovers that they have him under contract for another year, and if he keeps going as he is it looks odds on that someone will sign him in the interim. Ideal for Rovers is if they can do a similar deal that Pats did for Mason, and keep him for the full season.

July 31.

Id have agreed that he was as good as Melia earlier in the season but he faded off a bit. But that's to be expected at his age. Melia got better and better but is a year ahead. Smashing player. Hoping to see Michael hit his early and mid season form all year next season. At that age they can jump up quickly. Johnny Kenny was brutal for us in his first campaign and almost unplayable in his second. A little older mind you.

Michael has still been far more effective than Victor this year so I'm hoping for a large fee. It's great to see clubs getting paid closer to what players are worth now. But Victor had his performance in the Hale End Cup v Arsenal and others which put him on the map.

Kovaleskis also looks very talented. Played on Wednesday and was really dangerous. Hope the 3 of them, and the others have a good tournament. We are missing those 3 at the moment. They'd have all played v Sligo tomorrow.

[Kingdom]

What are the chances Noonan is tapped up by an UK club already?

[tetsujin1979]

There were some reports that Man City offered him a contract, and he would have gone on loan to one of their sister clubs until his 18th birthday, but he turned it down

[ontheotherhand]

What are the chances Noonan is tapped up by an UK club already?

Fairly high. As tets says he was heavily linked with man city. Not sure if he had an offer (I'm not that in the know) but he came to Rovers anyway. We'll be due compensation at least if he goes on a free. Can't remember how much. Hopefully he has a good season and clubs want to ensure they get him. He's a joy to watch when he's on it. Such a little terrier.

[Eirambler]

"Stephen Bradley won't stand in way of Shamrock Rovers star playing for Ireland at U17 World Cup"

https://www.the42.ie/michael-noonan-shamrock-rovers-ireland-6836040-Oct2025/?utm_source=shortlink

I should bloody hope he doesn't stand in his way, is Bradley looking for a ticker tape parade for his act of outstanding generosity or something?!

Talk about allowing someone to frame the media narrative.

Great to see common sense prevail on this one, despite Bradley's best efforts.

[ontheotherhand]

Great to see common sense prevail on this one, despite Bradley's best efforts.

Narrator: Said best efforts (https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/1021/1539775-no-club-concerns-as-obrien-names-u-17-world-cup-squad/) were to fully support Michael's inclusion, as per Colin O'Brien.

As I said above, Bradley and Michael would have sat down and chatted about this. I'm sure Michael himself was a bit torn, and I'm basing that on what I've heard from people who know his family, but we're all happy for him.

Anyway, the weekend's real story is Michael getting his league medal last night. Can't imagine what it must feel like to win a league for the club you support. It's unbelievable just to be a fan but to be player and fan is dreamland stuff. The fact that he played such a big part as well makes it even sweeter for him, especially after the year he's had.

It was a very brave move to join Rovers at that time in his life and I'm delighted it paid off for him.

That said, I do wonder if he would've ended up playing just as much with Pats this season and a front two of Melia and Noonan would have been interesting. Not knocking Pats but I think he still made the right call as he ended up with the league win. Hopefully we see the two of them playing together for the national side in the future.

[Eirambler]

Narrator: Said best efforts (https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/1021/1539775-no-club-concerns-as-obrien-names-u-17-world-cup-squad/) were to fully support Michael's inclusion, as per Colin O'Brien.

As I said above, Bradley and Michael would have sat down and chatted about this. I'm sure Michael himself was a bit torn, and I'm basing that on what I've heard from people who know his family, but we're all happy for him.

Anyway, the weekend's real story is Michael getting his league medal last night. Can't imagine what it must feel like to win a league for the club you support. It's unbelievable just to be a fan but to be player and fan is dreamland stuff. The fact that he played such a big part as well makes it even sweeter for him, especially after the year he's had.

It was a very brave move to join Rovers at that time in his life and I'm delighted it paid off for him.

That said, I do wonder if he would've ended up playing just as much with Pats this season and a front two of Melia and Noonan would have been interesting. Not knocking Pats but I think he still made the right call as he ended up with the league win. Hopefully we see the two of them playing together for the national side in the future.

Bradley made it clear quite recently that he was going to try and hold him back for part of the tournament, so while it's good that it has been resolved without a public spat (far from an inevitability when it comes to Bradley) let's not pretend this is anything other than him being told to fall into line.

While it's great that Noonan has won a league title while he is still in Ireland it's understandable that he doesn't want to miss any part of what may well be his only chance to play in a World Cup in his career. The reality for these players is that, if it was still possible for them to move to the UK at age 16, they wouldn't be playing in Ireland anyway. So personally I'd rather see managers celebrating the fact they get access to them for an additional two years rather than going public with an attempt to restrict their involvement in a World Cup, as happened here.

[Kingdom]

Relevant in the context of this discussion



And when you tot up the minutes played within what would be considered to be the adult game, those players have amassed a remarkable 13,392 minutes of action - the equivalent of approximately 148 full games.

But how does that compare to their peers? There are ten other European nations taking part at the U17 World Cup, who unlike Ireland, are not debutants at this age grade.

They are Italy, Portugal, Croatia, Belgium, England, Switzerland, Germany, Czechia, France and Austria.

Of those, only the Belgians have a squad that are in a similar ballpark to the Irish when it comes to minutes at what could be deemed men's professional or semi-pro club level. Restricting it only to their second-tier league and above - plus those based at neighbouring Dutch clubs like Ajax's Jorthy Mokio - and including European games, the Red Devils' U17s have amassed approximately 12,812 minutes.

At the other end of the experience scale are Germany and France with 35 and 73 club minutes respectively if the cut-off point is the countries' third tiers and above.

However, that's where the quality of minutes and the manner in which players are fast-tracked through the age grades needs to be acknowledged, as well as the fact that in the more populous elite nations, the pool of talent is such that making it to the highest level is far more arduous.

For example, if you watched the Champions League highlights on RTÉ from the most recent matchweek, one of the standout young talents on show was Bayern Munich's Lennart Karl. He scored the opener in their 4-0 win over Club Brugge - he would also find the net again a few days later in the Bundesliga at Borussia Monchengladbach.

He is still 17 and eligible to play at the World Cup, but Bayern have opted not to release him given his value to the first team, hence why he is not going to be part of Germany's squad in Qatar.

Meanwhile, England's squad have a total of around 557 minutes within the Football League, Ligue 1, domestic cups and European games with Bradley Burrowes (Aston Villa), Alejandro Gomes Rodríguez (Lyon) and Reggie Walsh (Chelsea) the ones to have had brief cameos in the Premier League, French top flight and European games respectively.

None have been loaned out as of yet so the lowest level any of the English have played at at senior level has been the ones based at Championship clubs.


https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/1031/1541504-irelands-minute-men-how-they-compare-to-euro-peers/




Approximate minutes played by the 11 European nations

Republic of Ireland: 13,392 (down to First Divison or equivalent)

Belgium: 12,812 (down to second tier Challenger Pro League and equivalent)

Switzerland: 4,751 (Swiss third tier and above)

Austria: 3,046 (Austrian 2.Liga and above)

Czechia: 1,213 (down to Czech second tier)

Portugal: 1,039 (down to third tier)

England: 557 (League 2 and above)

Italy: 492 (down to Serie D)

Croatia: 289 (down to second tier)

France: 73 (top three tiers)

Germany: 35 (top three tiers)[/I]

[ontheotherhand]

Bradley made it clear quite recently that he was going to try and hold him back for part of the tournament, so while it's good that it has been resolved without a public spat (far from an inevitability when it comes to Bradley) let's not pretend this is anything other than him being told to fall into line.

While it's great that Noonan has won a league title while he is still in Ireland it's understandable that he doesn't want to miss any part of what may well be his only chance to play in a World Cup in his career. The reality for these players is that, if it was still possible for them to move to the UK at age 16, they wouldn't be playing in Ireland anyway. So personally I'd rather see managers celebrating the fact they get access to them for an additional two years rather than going public with an attempt to restrict their involvement in a World Cup, as happened here.

Honestly, you're more upset about this than any of the parties actually involved, and most of the details you're claiming aren't things you could really know. Nothing that happened was controversial and I'm sure Michael himself was delighted his manager wanted to try and play him in the cup final if possible. It wasn't and they've all moved on. As I've said, from what I hear he's disappointed to miss it but excited for the WC. It's a testament to him that he was wanted for both.

Your second paragraph of patronising drivel probably shows us why you're up in arms here. The managers you're talking about are delighted to work with these players and they are doing a fine job of it.

Anyway, I'll stick you on the ignore list now for the good of the thread, which should really be focused on Michael's achievements and development.

[tetsujin1979]

tournament-centric posts moved to u17 world cup thread

[Eirambler]

Honestly, you're more upset about this than any of the parties actually involved, and most of the details you're claiming aren't things you could really know. Nothing that happened was controversial and I'm sure Michael himself was delighted his manager wanted to try and play him in the cup final if possible. It wasn't and they've all moved on. As I've said, from what I hear he's disappointed to miss it but excited for the WC. It's a testament to him that he was wanted for both.

Your second paragraph of patronising drivel probably shows us why you're up in arms here. The managers you're talking about are delighted to work with these players and they are doing a fine job of it.

Anyway, I'll stick you on the ignore list now for the good of the thread, which should really be focused on Michael's achievements and development.

Except I'm not upset about it, I'm very pleased he's going to the World Cup. The rest of my post may seem patronising to you, but it's only saying it as it is. Surely there aren't people out there who think the likes of him and Melia would still be playing in Ireland were it not for the Brexit rules preventing them from moving to the UK at 16?!