Shamrock Rovers’s Michael Noonan became the youngest scorer in the Conference League’s history and second youngest in a UEFA club competition aged 16 years and 197 days old following Thursday’s goal against Molde.
The teenager, who was making his senior debut for the club, scored the winning goal in the Irish side’s 1-0 victory over Molde in the first leg of their Conference League knockout phase match at the Aker Stadion.
He became the youngest scorer in the Conference League’s four-year history and second youngest in any domestic UEFA competition, behind Ghana international Nii Lamptey, who was 16 years and 100 days old when he scored for Anderlecht against Roma in the UEFA Cup back in March 1991.
Noonan’s goal surpassed the previous Conference League record set by Hearts midfielder James Wilson only this season, having scored against Moldovan side Petrocub Hincesti in December aged 17 years and 288 days old.
Noonan also leapfrogged Romelu Lukaku in the all-time youngest UEFA club competition scorer standings, the Belgian striker having found the net in the Europa League for Anderlecht against Ajax in 2009 at the age of 16 years and 218 days, Noonan was 16 months old when Lukaka scored that goal.
A huge win for Shamrock Rovers 👏#UECL pic.twitter.com/23QZDMNB1P
— UEFA Conference League (@Conf_League) February 13, 2025
Speaking at full time, Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley said he decided to start Noonan against Molde despite his age because he could tell the teenager “had it”.
“I made the decision two weeks ago after watching him up close in training,” Bradley told TNT Sport. “You get a feeling and understand what the dressing room is feeling.
“You could see very quickly that Michael had it. You could tell that this boy is ready. I didn’t tell him (that he was going to play) until closer to the time because I didn’t want it playing on his mind.
“But this is what Michael does. I’ve watched him since he was ten years old. He scores goals. When you have the attitude and character to go with the ability he has.
“He just lives, breathes, and sleeps football and wants to be a football player. When you have that attitude and his ability, then you have got half a chance.”
Noonan, who was born in 2008, has represented the Republic of Ireland at various youth levels, scoring three goals in eight games for the country’s under-17 side.
Shamrock Rovers midfielder Aaron McEneff said before the game: “It is brilliant for Michael. He’s come in and he’s only 16 years old but he doesn’t play football like a 16-year-old. He’s fitted in really well around the group. I’m buzzing for him and hopefully, he can hit the ground running.”
Shamrock Rovers play in the League of Ireland Premier Division and are the most successful club in the league’s history. The club has won the League of Ireland title a record 21 times and the FAI Cup a record 25 times.
The second leg against Molde will be played at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on February 20.
(Marius Simensen/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
