Crawford praises Kildare duo

Republic of Ireland Under 21 manager Jim Crawford has praised Kildare duo Michael Noonan and Cathal McCarthy ahead of Friday evening’s crucial European Championship qualifier against Slovakia at Turner's Cross.

17-year-old Noonan made his Under 21 debut last month as Ireland began this qualification series with a 2-1 win away to Moldova and he followed that up by becoming Ireland’s youngest ever goalscorer at this grade when he scored the only goal against Andorra just seconds after being introduced off the bench.

Since then, Noonan has continued his fine club form and entered the Ireland camp on a high after scoring two goals for Shamrock Rovers in last Sunday’s FAI Cup semi-final win over Kerry.

So it was no surprise that Crawford waxed lyrical over the Ellistown youngster.

“I’ve said so much about Michael, particularly after scoring that goal against Andorra. That was remarkable for somebody so young coming on and showing real technique. To get three points from that strike was a lovely moment for him when he was playing Under 21 football for the first time,” said Crawford, who is also based in Kildare.

65 mins: Ireland 1-0 Andorra
He was just on the pitch but a superb strike from Michael Noonan gives Ireland the lead in this #U21 Euro qualifier #rtesport @IrelandFootball pic.twitter.com/CbSZmvqX9m

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 9, 2025

Noonan initially made his mark at underage level with St Patrick’s Athletic but since his transfer to Shamrock Rovers and his exposure to high level first team games, Crawford says he moved to a different level.

“He’s a player of immense potential. Pats did ever so well with him but he’s made the next step where he is playing senior football, playing in big European games, big league games. He’s played in the Aviva Stadium in a Dublin derby. They are unbelievable experiences for any player but for somebody so young who has adapted to those environments seamlessly shows the nature of the man. He wants to get better, he’ll give you everything,” said Crawford.

Although the youngest member of the group, Noonan’s presence in the squad has been infectious for the rest of his team-mates.

“You can tell in the little snippets of our 5-a-side or 11-a-side games, his workrate is outstanding. He’s an inspiration for everybody in this Under 21 camp so he’s been a great addition to the group,” said Crawford.

The Ireland manager was equally as effusive in his praise of Cathal McCarthy. The Caragh youngster made his Hull City debut in the Championship a week before turning 19 in August and went on to make his Under 21 debut the following month during that win over Androrra.

He joined Hull from UCD as a centre half but caught the eye for his club in a defensive midfield role during pre-season and that is where he made his Ireland debut but Crawford said he would have confidence in him in either position.

“Cathal has been excellent. He’s come in as everybody knows before the last window and made a real impact at Hull. What was surprising for us was that Hull played him in midfield in a couple of pre-season games and he did very well there and they speak very highly of him.

“Then when you get to see him in close quarters he’s a fantastic individual. He wants to learn. I think he’s got a very high ceiling. He’s quick, he’s aggressive and I think he can be a presence in those midfield areas.

“I do know he plays quite a number of games now for Hull at centre back so for him, it’s just a matter of understanding where his best position is, where he can show his profile and true qualities.

“He has played centre back in our 11v11 games, he’s played midfield in our 11v11 games and he’s been excellent in both positions. We’ll see what happens, he’s a good lad, he’s enjoying it and I think he’s going to get better and better, that’s for sure,” said Crawford.

With the winners of the last two European Championships, England, also in the group the games between Ireland and Slovakia have heightened significance. The winners of the group qualify automatically for the UEFA Under 21 European Championships in Albania and Serbia during the summer of 2027 while the runners up will take part in the play-offs. If Ireland can follow the two wins they recorded last month with a third on Friday evening in Cork then they will have made the ideal start in the race for qualification.