Durham forward Noonan agrees temporary Shelbourne return

FA Women’s Championship club Durham have confirmed that January transfer window signing Saoirse Noonan has temporarily returned to her native Republic of Ireland.

The 22-year-old joined The Wildcats from FAI Women’s National League club Shelbourne but she is yet to be seen in a Durham shirt.

Durham this evening provided a fitness update on the player which confirms that Noonan sustained a knee injury in the days after completing her move to England. The injury is not serious but Noonan has been undergoing treatment both in England and back home in the Republic of Ireland.

To assist with the player’s steady return to fitness and to prepare her for elite football in the FA Women’s Championship next season, Noonan has secured a short term return to former club Shelbourne. Durham have confirmed that the player will re-join them ahead of the new FA Women’s Championship campaign.

Noonan was one of three players to join Durham in the January transfer window with goalkeeper Naoisha McAloon and forward Rio Hardy having also moved to Maiden Castle. The player arrived in the North East after helping former club Shelbourne to the FAI Women’s National League title and after receiving her first senior international call-up.

Durham fans will be excited to see what the player can do when she returns to the club in 2022/2023.