Saoirse Noonan knows all about the prestige of playing in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Now she wants to do it for the Ireland Women's National Team.

Every so often, the teachers in Scoil Niocláis would spot Noonan doodling at the back of her copybook.

SECURE YOUR SEAT FOR IRELAND VS SLOVENIA

It was always the same thing that she would draw: a girl in an Ireland jersey lifting the World Cup trophy. Of course, the girl was her and the drawing was a vision that she is now trying to turn into a reality.

Representing Ireland means everything to Noonan. Hailing from Grange, she couldn't hide her Cork roots even if she wanted to and the same can be said about her Irishness. Her name is the Gaelic translation for freedom and she is now bringing that into how she plays the game for Celtic as well as for Ireland.

A substitute appearance in the 2-1 victory over Greece in April ended a 22-month period between her fourth and fifth senior caps for the Ireland Women's National Team. The hard work paid off as she returned to where she longs to be: playing for her country.

"Getting back in the squad meant so much to me having worked so hard, that will mean nothing if I don’t keep pushing for more and I’ve never been more determined and focused to get more minutes and keep helping the squad in whatever way I can," she said.

"⁠I feel privileged (to play for Ireland). It’s the pinnacle of my career every time I get to represent my country.

"I thought about it nearly everyday growing up as a little girl and still do. I am so proud to be Irish and when I get to wear the shirt and do what I love for Ireland it’s indescribable."

There are many moments that encapsulate what being an international footballer is; from making family & friends proud, justifying the time & effort so many afforded to you, representing your club & local community, through to excelling against the world's best. But little compares to standing arm-in-arm with team-mates singing Amhrán na bhFiann.

"It’s quite emotional, if I’m honest," she explained. "Hearing all the fans be so loud and everyone coming together gives me goosebumps. It fills me with pride and I try take that minute to soak it all in and be proud of what I’ve achieved."

From early on, it was very clear that Noonan was a talented athlete. She excelled in football, Gaelic football, camogie and pretty much every sport she tried. She represented Cork at inter-county level while being fast-tracked up the international ladder with Ireland - balancing multiple sports with relative ease. 

After making the breakthrough with Cork City in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, Noonan moved to Shelbourne to test herself before skipping across the Irish Sea in search of full-time professional football. A stop at Durham WFC in the English Championship led to a move to Celtic in the Scottish Women's Premiership, where she has been in sensational form.

Now, she is hoping to experience a run-out in front of her own people as the Ireland WNT return to Cork for their second game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh when they take on Slovenia in their final UEFA Nations League group game on Tuesday.

"⁠Having the team come to Cork is unreal. I still remember going  to watch the Irish Women’s Team play in Turner's Cross in 2012 and getting a picture with Denise (O'Sullivan). I wanted to play for Ireland so badly and be like her," she said. 

"I got to play in Turner's Cross underage in front of my friends and family but this is a whole new level and what this team has achieved already and the growth and interest they have gained over the last few years it would be incredible to be part of a senior fixture with my friends and family being able to attend - especially my Granny who is 87 and went to every single underage Irish game I played no matter where it was. 

"Having played in Páirc Uí Caoimh in GAA once already, it would be incredible to play there in a different code and represent my country at home."

UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE
League B, Group 2
Ireland v Slovenia
Tuesday, June 3rd
Páirc Uí Chaoimh
KO 18:00
LIVE on RTÉ2 / RTÉ Player