Kildare's Noonan duo named in World Cup squad

Two Noonans from Kildare, who play their football for Shamrock Rovers but who aren’t related have named in 21-man strong named by Republic of Ireland Head Coach Colin O’Brien for the Under 17 World Cup in Qatar next month.

Striker Michael Noonan, who was at Cedral St Conleths Park last weekend, is from Ellistown and is considered one of the stars of the squad and has represented Ireland at Under 21 level this season.

Goalkeeper Alex Noonan, from Maynooth, will battle for the spot between the posts with Southampton’s George Moloney and Corey Sheridan of Finna Harps.

The squad fly out next week to their first ever FIFA Under-17s World Cup with 16 of the group having come through the League of Ireland pyramid.

O’Brien is boosted with the return of another Shamrock Rovers players, Victor Ozhianvuna, and then former Shelbourne defender Finn Sherlock.

There is also a place on the plane for 16-year-old Sean Spaight who is named in the squad with his Dundalk teammate Vinnie Leonard.

The Dundalk pair are two of seven players from SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division clubs with Corey Sheridan, Josh Cullen and Gavin McAteer representing Finn Harps, Ryan Butler of Wexford and Goodness Ogbonna of UCD.

Ireland have been drawn in Group J along with Panama, Uzbekistan and Paraguay.

The tournament begins on Monday, November 3 with Ireland’s opening game on Wednesday, November 5 against Panama at 12.30pm Irish time. The young Boys in Green are next in action against Asian opposition in Uzbekistan which will take place 3.45pm on Saturday, November 8. They then play their final group game against Paraguay on Tuesday, November 11 – kick-off 1.30pm Irish time.

This is the fifth major tournament at this age grade for O’Brien with his squad qualifying for the World Cup following a 2-0 win over Poland and a 5-0 victory over Iceland in the Elite Round of the U17 EURO Qualifiers.

Republic of Ireland Men’s Under-17 FIFA World Cup Squad 

Goalkeepers: George Moloney (Southampton), Alex Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Corey Sheridan (Finn Harps).

Defenders: Ryan Butler (Wexford), Josh Cullen (Finn Harps), Vinnie Leonard (Dundalk), Ade Solanke (FC Lorient), Oisin McDonagh (Venezia), Finn Sherlock (Hoffenheim), Sean Spaight (Dundalk).

Midfielders: Rory Finneran (Newcastle United), Ramon Martos (UD Almeria), Grady McDonnell (Club Brugge), Kian McMahon-Brown (Burnley), Goodness Ogbonna (UCD), Victor Ozhianvuna (Shamrock Rovers).

Forwards: Max Kovalevskis (Shamrock Rovers), Brody Lee (Cork City), Gavin McAteer (Finn Harps), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Jaden Umeh (SL Benfica).

Republic of Ireland FIFA Under-17 World Cup Fixtures/Schedule 

Wednesday, November 5 | Panama vs Ireland, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 12.30pm* 

Saturday, November 8 | Ireland vs Uzbekistan, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 3.45pm* 

Tuesday, November 11 | Ireland vs Paraguay, Aspire Zone, Doha, Qatar, kick-off 1.30pm* 

Friday, November 14 | Round of 32 

Tuesday, November 18 | Round of 16 

Friday, November 21 | Quarter Final

Monday, November 24 | Semi Final 

Thursday, November 27 | Final 

 *Kick-offs are Irish time.