Kildare's Noonan ready to do what it takes to help Waterford FC
Waterford FC's Conan Noonan is surrounded by his team mates after he scored on his Waterford debut Photo: Noel Browne
On loan attacker Conan Noonan made a good introduction to Waterford FC fans by marking his debut with a goal and two assists in last Friday's 4-2 win over Treaty Utd in the Grandon’s Toyota Munster Senior Cup quarter-final.
The 22-year-old, from Broadford in Kildare, was persuaded to move to the South-East on loan from Shamrock Rovers for the season by Blues Head Coach Keith Long and straight away he looked at home at the RSC.
His delivery from set pieces caused the Limerick side problems in this game as he scored direct from a corner-kick early in the second-half before putting into two incredible dead balls that yielded goals for Ryan Burke and Andy Boyle.
But it was his overall performance that had supporters talking at the final whistle as he produced a polished display that saw the Blues book their spot in the semi-final of the competition that they won last season.
Speaking after the game, Noonan said: “I think that in the first-half, we weren’t completely at it. I think we could have been better probably, but I thought that the pitch wasn’t great today.
“I think that in the second-half, we really showed our quality and really showed our class. I think that we fully deserved to win, but obviously, the two goals that we conceded weren’t great. Overall, I thought that the performance was very good.
“I wasn’t aiming for a goal from the corner, but the way that we take them for that particular way was to get them on top of the keeper and it just went in. Maybe it was a bit lucky, but I’ll take that.
“I suppose I had two assists as well. Absolutely that’s what I want to do particularly when I was playing in a bit more of an attacking role. I think that’s where I’ll excel and I’m here to contribute with goals and an assists. I done well tonight so that’s really nice.
Noonan added: “There was a little bit of pressure tonight as we are the holders of the competition. I think that every competition that we’re in, we want to do our best so hopefully we can go on and win this one.
“The focus now will be on the league and Sligo Rovers is a tough ground to go to. It’s always tough this time of year with the pitch as well. They are a very good side and always play very good football.
“We obviously know that it’s going to be tough one, but we’ll be going there trying to win and trying to get the season off to a good start. I’m really excited to be here and it’s nice to have a bit of a change.
“It’s nice to come in and the gaffer (Keith Long) really wanted me to be here. He has plans and where he wants to play me so he has a vision for me this season, which was really nice to hear. I just hoping that I can help the team do as well as we can this year.”
There was also Kildare interest on the Treaty side as Dean Owens came off the bench in the last 15 minutes and scored both Treaty's goals. The striker, from Athy, signed from Bray Wanderers also scored the winner in an earlier friendly against Kerry and he looks ready to hit the ground running when the new season kicks off this weekend.
