The latest addition to the 2025 Men’s First Team squad is striker, Michael Noonan, who joins from St Patrick’s Athletic.

Michael will be added to the UEFA Conference League squad for the Molde games in the Conference League in February.

Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie about signing the highly rated 16 year old, Head Coach, Stephen Bradley said:

“I’ve watched Michael’s game and progress since he was virtually a baby, really. I saw him play numerous times in Roadstone and followed his career since then. I tried to get Michael in last year, but it didn’t happen. When I knew he wanted to come to Rovers this time around, it was a no-brainer for us as a club. Michael is one of the best young players in the country and, as well as producing our own, we got to recruit the best as well so Michael falls into that category. He’s a player I’ve watched for some time and he has real ability and a great attitude, so I’m delighted to get him in.”

You’ve shown in the past that you have not been afraid to give young players their head in the first team, such as Gavin Bazunu, Naj Razi and Cory O’Sullivan. Will Michael come into your immediate thinking as the season gets underway?

“Yes, he will. I know he’s young in age, but we’ve signed Michael to be involved in the first team straight away, there’s no doubt about that. I feel he’s ready for that and we need to be careful how and when we put him in, but I’ve no doubt he’s ready to be part of the first team squad and I wouldn’t have signed him otherwise. He’s definitely one we can put into the squad now.”

Fans will have seen Michael’s name linked with Manchester City when he hits 18. Does that help or hinder his progression or expectation if and when he plays in the Rovers first team?

“I think that’s irrelevant. You look at most players when there’s talk of teams being after them, it’s all irrelevant in the bigger picture. When you get to know Michael, he’s just focused on being better and improving. I don’t think he’ll listen to any of the noise and anything from the outside is irrelevant. None of that noise is of interest to us, we’ve signed  Michael to play for Rovers.”

Most Rovers fans won’t have seen Michael play. What is his playing style and what attributes can we hope to see him bring onto the pitch?

“He can do a bit of everything. His standout attitude for one so young is his mentality. His mentality is strong and a desire to get better and push on. As a young player, that’s a really important attribute to have. He wants to work hard, he’s dedicated to his craft and has real ambition to be a top player.”

Michael spoke to the club website on his feelings on signing for the first team of the club he has supported all his life: 

Michael, you’re welcome to Rovers! What’s your immediate feeling having put pen to paper for the club?

“It’s an incredible feeling, personally and for my family. I grew up going to Rovers matches with my Dad and my Grandad, so I always wanted to play in Tallaght Stadium. So, now that I’m getting the chance to play there for Rovers is an incredible feeling.”

You’ve alluded to your Dad and Grandad bringing you to Rovers as a boy. You’ve also been a Rovers mascot for the players walking out at Tallaght. Can you tell us a bit more about that or remember which player you walked out with?

“My grandad in particular is a huge Rovers fan. My Dad is too, but Grandad attends all Rovers home games and also games away in Europe.  I did mascot once or twice. I was only about four or five so I can’t actually remember who walked me out!”

What helped you decide that you were going to make the next steps of your career with Shamrock Rovers?

“Opportunity. I just felt there’s a better opportunity at Rovers. St Pat’s have been brilliant to me, but I just felt the next step in my career had a better opportunity and pathway at Rovers. I want to play and hopefully establish myself, so the opportunity was a lot more inviting to me.”

Stephen Bradley has said that he feels you’re ready to step into the first team even at such a young age and he has shown in previous years that he is prepared to give young lads a chance in the first team. Does that add to your confidence and determination to nail down a spot in a proven, successful and experienced group?

“Definitely. All a player wants is belief from the gaffer. If I get the opportunity, it’s up to me to take it if, and when, Stephen gives it to me. Then I need to stay as close as I can to the team or in the team. I feel as though I can, and that I’ve already matured as a player in the last year. So, I feel I’m ready for the next step, which is to play senior football.”

What do you feel are your best attributes in your game and have you modelled yourself on any particular player or looked up to any player in your position?

“My finishing is a strong part. It’s got me to where I am now. I always had a knack for scoring goals, and I believe I am good at reading the game too. As for another player in my position, I was always a fan of Wayne Rooney growing up. I support Man United and he was the reason why I became a United fan.”

It’s a really exciting but difficult start to the season for Rovers with the opening league game against Bohs at the Aviva in between the two-legged UEFA Conference League play-off against Molde. You must be looking forward to those games and hopefully experiencing European football nights at Tallaght stadium later in the year.

“I’m really looking forward to it. It’s a tough time to come into Rovers, but also very exciting. It’ll be my first time playing in Europe and I’m hoping to be in the squad for the Bohs game at the Aviva to experience playing there. It’s really exciting times ahead for Rovers and for me personally and hopefully we’ll get some success over those opening games and further ahead.”

Player Bio:

Michael (16) was handed his league debut for St Patrick’s Athletic against Bohemians last October, having scored three times and provided one assist in four appearances in the Leinster Senior Cup as Pat’s lifted the trophy. He became the Saints’ youngest ever starter, aged 15 years and 9 months, and had a trial with Manchester City.

Michael was also on the bench for four of their six Europa Conference League matches. An Under-17 international, the talented attacker is in double figures for Ireland’s youth teams, scoring 10 goals in 16 underage games.