Shamrock Rovers' Kildare contingent enjoy title success
Michael Noonan of Shamrock Rovers and his mother Sandie celebrate with the trophy after the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Kildare’s Michael Noonan and Egor Vassenin were part of the celebrations as Shamrock Rovers lifted their fifth Premier Division title on Saturday evening at the Tallaght Stadium.
Rovers had clinched the title during the week with a 1-0 win over Galway so while the rest of the Irish Under 17 World Cup squad were already on their way to Qatar, Noonan delayed his departure to feature in the final couple of minutes of Rovers’ 2-1 defeat to Sligo Rovers and pick up his first senior league medal.
Although he only turned 17 at the end of July, Noonan was a key part of Rovers’ success and scored six goals on their way to glory.
While his Rovers team-mates are preparing for next Sunday’s FAI Cup final against Cork City, Ellistown's Noonan will now link up with the rest of the Ireland Under 17 squad in Qatar ahead of their first game in the World Cup on Wednesday against Panama.
It was a day to remember for Vassenin as he marked the day Rovers got their hands on the league trophy by making his senior debut for the club.
Signed from Klub Kildare last July, the Kilcullen man has had to bide his time while working with the squad since then.
Vassenin, who turned 18 a couple of weeks ago, has been on the bench on a number of occasions but this was his first time to make it on to the pitch for Stephen Bradley’s team.
