Kildare teenager breaks Lukaku's European record

It was Roy of the Rovers stuff for teenage striking sensation Michael Noonan as he marked his Shamrock Rovers, and European debut, by scoring the only goal as the Hoops recorded an incredible away win in the knockout stage of the UEFA Conference League in Norway. 

By scoring the goal when aged 16 years and 197 days, he broke a record previously held by Romelu Lukaku as the youngest player to score a goal in the knockout stages of a European tie. 

Noonan was involved in the game's two biggest moments as Stephen Bradley's team recorded one of the best European results for an Irish side in recent times. Noonan was racing away towards the Molde goal in the 42nd minute before he was felled by Valdemar Lund, resulting in a red card for the Molde defence. 

Rovers took advantage of the extra man in the 69th minute when Dylan Watts won the ball back and crossed into the goalmouth where Noonan converted from close range and Rovers held on for a famous win. It's now all to play for in the second leg at the Tallaght Stadium next Thursday. 

Noonan was rated as one of the hottest prospects in Irish football even before this dramatic winning goal. He joined Rovers from St Pats last month after making his senior debut towards the end of last season for the Inchicore club and he has previously been linked with a high profile transfer to Manchester City.

Living in Ellistown, Noonan has played underage GAA for his local club and goes to school in Rathangan and he is making major waves already at such a young age.

He wasn't the only Kildare based Noonan in the Rovers squad. Alex Noonan, no relation, from Maynooth was the unused backup goalkeeper on the substitute's bench, while another Noonan from Kildare, again no relation,

Broadford's Conan, is to spend the 2025 season on loan to Waterford.