Shamrock Rovers teenager Michael Noonan says it would be "great" to continue his goalscoring ways in an FAI Cup final, though the teenager may well miss next month's showpiece with international commitments.
The 17-year-old scored twice as Rovers coasted to a 6-1 semi-final victory over First Division Kerry FC at Tallaght Stadium, ensuring they will face relegation-bound Cork City in the decider.
Stephen Bradley's side will win the league on Friday with a point against Shelbourne, and a first league and cup double for the club since 1987 is very much on the cards.
Noonan, however, could miss the Aviva Stadium showpiece as he looks set set to be included in Colin O’Brien’s Republic of Ireland Under-17 squad for the World Youth Cup finals in Qatar.
Their first game against Panama on 5 November takes place four days before the FAI Cup final, and the day before the Hoops are away to AEK Athens in the Conference League.
While Rovers could refuse to release him as the games are not in the international window, Bradley insisted post-match the striker wouldn’t be denied the chance to represent his country.
"Michael will go to the World Cup. It’s an incredible opportunity for him," he said.
GOAL - Shamrock Rovers (5-1)
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 5, 2025
Michael Noonan showing all his class to score his second of the evening
📱- https://t.co/gc9LnsDiSI
📺 - https://t.co/b2OI4OoWVJ #RTESport pic.twitter.com/wNbgW5Cugj
Speaking to RTÉ Sport after the game, Noonan, who didn’t reference any participation in the World Cup, was delighted for Rovers to have booked their place at the Aviva Stadium and admitted the opening goal, which he created for Graham Burke, was crucial in paving the way for victory.
"It’s brilliant," he said. "These are the kind of games you want to play in as a player.
"We knew they (Kerry) were going to be hard to break down. We respect what they are good at. We knew if we kept at them, at them, we’d get the goal and in fairness to Burkey, he finished brilliantly."
Asked whether he would like to continue his scoring ways in the cup final, he said: "Yeah, hopefully. It would be great. Hopefully I’ll get a chance to score and take it."
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