Austin Noonan
Austin Noonan (16 July 1933 – 7 November 2022) was an Irish football player and manager who played for Cork Celtic and Cork Hibernians in the League of Ireland. He also served as manager of Cork Hibernians.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 July 1933 | ||
| Place of birth | Cork, Irish Free State | ||
| Date of death | 7 November 2022 (aged 89) | ||
| Place of death | Cork, Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfield | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1953–1966 | Cork Celtic | ||
| 1966–1969 | Cork Hibernians | ||
| International career | |||
| League of Ireland XI | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
Noonan first played football as a schoolboy with Maymount. Considered too small and light as a youth player, he later played with Colmcille's and Ballinlough before being selected on the Cork AUL.
Noonan signed for Evergreen United (later Cork Celtic) for the 1953–54 season.[1] He formed a close goal-scoring partnership with Donie Leahy and, after spending much of the 1958-59 season on the sideline with a troublesome right ankle injury, was the league's overall top scorer with 27 goals the following season.[2] Noonan was honoured by the League of Ireland XI selectors on a couple of occasions, while his other honours include Top Four Cup, Shield, Dublin City Cup and Munster Senior Cup winners' medals.[3]
Noonan transferred to local rivals Cork Hibernians in 1966 before taking over as manager.[4] He has the distinction of being the club's manager in 1970 when their Shield victory qualified them to play in a European competition for the first time.[5]
Death
Noonan died on 7 November 2022, at the age of 89.[6]
Honours
Cork Celtic
- League of Ireland Shield: 1960–61
- Dublin City Cup: 1961–62
- Top Four Cup: 1956–57, 1958–59, 1959–60
- Munster Senior League: 1955–56
- Munster Senior Cup: 1959–60, 1961–62, 1963–64
References
- "Evergreen always up Four the cup: history of the League of Ireland Super Cup". Echo Live. 4 April 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- "Throwback Thursday: Cork soccer clubs proved equal to European giants". Echo Live. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- "Austin Noonan's goal gave Cork Celtic derby glory and first national title - 60 years ago today". Irish Examiner. 23 October 2020. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- "Throwback Thursday: Crossing the great divide of Cork soccer with Celtic and Hibs". Echo Live. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- "The lost clubs: Cork Hibernians". SSE Airtricity Leeagie website. 29 August 2018. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- "Cork soccer legend Austin Noonan dies". Echo Live. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.