Cork City hoping to sign former star Irish international forward Saoirse Noonan 

Cork City Women are in talks with Republic of Ireland international Saoirse Noonan about a deal to sign to the striker after a spell with Durham in the FA Women's Championship.

The Douglas native is currently training with the squad and talks are ongoing between the forward and the club.

Cork City captain Eva Mangan could be going the other way, as clubs in England are interested in signing the midfielder who has just been called up to the Republic of Ireland WNT for a double header of Euro qualifiers against England and France.

Noonan, who once lined out for Douglas Hall, has played football in England since January 2022, and is a senior Republic of Ireland international.

Should the striker complete the move to City, she will be the third new acquisition during the summer transfer window. This follows a deal to bring in Freya De Mange from Wexford FC and goalkeeper Una Foyle.

They made their debut for City last weekend during a 1-0 victory over Peamount United in Dublin.

City are now in mid-table, and pushing for a top half finish for the first time since 2020. 

The Rebel Army will also open their FAI Women's Cup campaign with a home game against CWSSL side Douglas Hall.

Noonan was a member of the City squad which last lifted that trophy, back in 2017. 

The Rebel Army reached the final and defeated DLR Waves at the Aviva Stadium, with Claire Shine scoring the game's only goal.

Noonan stayed in Turner's Cross until 2021, and she left for perennial Women's National League challengers Shelbourne. 

The striker was a key part of Shelbourne’s triumph in the FAI Women’s National League that season as she scored 12 times en route to lifting the league title while they were also beaten by Wexford Youths in the FAI Cup final.

Noonan went from there to Durham, and she returned to Shelbourne for a brief period in 2022 to get match fit after picking up a knee injury.

Noonan used her time at Tolka Park and at Durham as a springboard to get onto the senior Republic of Ireland WNT.

The striker scored her first goal for her country during an 11-0 victory over Georgia at Tallaght Stadium in World Cup qualifying in November 2021.

Noonan was then put in the Ireland squad ahead of the 2023 World Cup for friendlies with Zambia and France at Tallaght Stadium.

There was no place in the tournament finals for the striker, as she was left out of the final squad. 

Noonan returned in the autumn for fixtures in the Women's Nations League, and she was selected for a double header of games against Albania.