Dual diamond: Saoirse Noonan on why combining soccer and ladies football paid off

ONE OF SAOIRSE Noonan’s childhood friends is Chiedozie Ogbene, who himself has made an impact on Irish football.

Growing up on the same housing estate, in Grange on the Southside of Cork City, the footballing career journeys of both Noonan and Ogbene have followed down a similar path.

Both from an early age, while playing football together, could only have dreamt about some of the footballing arenas they have now graced.

As I speak to Saoirse, in early January 2023, she now plys her trade with Durham Women FC of the Barclays Women’s Championship. 

But she reflets fondly on her childhood in Cork and of her friendship with Ogbene.

“We used to spend every day kicking the ball around, playing using the driveway as the goal. It would always be me and him that would probably be the most competitive out of everyone, really. 

"You know someone is good at that age... we all knew he had the ability. Even the other day, I was driving up to Dublin and Chiedozie was with me because he was getting a flight.

“We were just talking about the little things, that we probably wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for each other... if I didn’t have him kicking me around or playing with the lads. 

I probably wouldn’t have the determination that I have if I was just with the girls.

“I just love seeing people that I know do well. We are still always in touch. We laugh about moments that we had together, fighting with each other. 

"It has probably made us the people that we are today, which makes us both really grateful. We will never forget those days, on the streets, because we wouldn’t be where we are today without playing on the streets. 

"You knew from a young age that he was going places.” 

Like her childhood friend Ogbene, the feeling of scoring a goal for Ireland at senior international level is one that Noonan has been able to sample. Saoirse initially was a star forward for Ireland at U17 and U19 level, hitting the net. 

She received her first cap at Ireland senior international level in 2016, Noonan, finally, grabbed her first goal for the Ireland Senior team in the 11-0 win over Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in the World Cup qualifier of November 2021. 

Saoirse’s brother, Eoin, who works as a photographer for the Sportsfile agency, was on hand to capture the big moment in Tallaght.

"Obviously, having your whole family there is amazing. Then, when I got the goal, I actually didn’t know where he was sitting. 

"Some of the girls were slagging me, saying you had it planned, but I actually didn’t. Once I turned around, I saw him... and then I went over and did my celebration in front of him.

“That is a moment you can’t write it. Who said I was going to come on, and who said I was going to be at the end of that end he was shooting at, who said I was going to run to that corner. It all just fell perfectly, especially at home in Tallaght.

“That is our home ground and that is where I scored my first goal. For my bother to capture the photo and to have the family over the other side... it was just such a high peak.” 

NATURAL

The talented Noonan also lined out for the Cork Senior Ladies Gaelic footballers, combining both GAA and playing for City in the Women’s National League for a spell.

Her Cork football manager, Ephie Fitzgerald once declared that the then 19-year-old Noonan could become the face of Ladies Gaelic football for the next decade. This was another ringing endorsement of the natural sporting talent she possessed.

“I had just come away from the underage international team and I got the call from Ephie to go play with the footballers. I went and trained a bit. I was still playing National League with Cork City.

I used to jump from one fence over to the other, to make sure that I’d get at both training sessions. 

"Especially on a Friday night, they used to train an hour after each other."

Right from the outset, she earned a reputation for being a clinical presence in attack. 

Her first outing for the Cork footballers saw her score 2-2 in the Munster Final win over Kerry.

“My first game was in the final. My first touch of the ball was a penalty. From there, it drove me on to be like everyone from Cork, we are just proud GAA heads really. I always wanted to play for Cork.

“My grandad was there that day, he actually checked himself out of hospital. So that was a really special day to me.” 

Weekends, such as in early November 2020, well and truly epitomised the dedication and outstanding commitment Noonan was giving to both of her sporting loves.

On the Saturday, she scored 1-2 as Cork opened their All-Ireland Championship campaign with a win over Kerry in Tralee. 

Then, the following day, she was scoring on the double as City booked a place in the FAI Cup final with a victory over Treaty United in the final four in Bishopstown.

“I kind of got questioned how was I able to do it. Really, I just kept going back to, it was the love of the game and how much I just wanted to be at everything. It makes it so much easier when you are winning games.”