Ross Noonan (born 14 February 1985) is an Irish former rugby union player.

Ross Noonan
Date of birth (1985-02-14) 14 February 1985 (age 39)
Place of birthDouglas, Cork, Ireland
Height1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight108 kg (17.0 st; 238 lb)
SchoolChristian Brothers College
UniversityUniversity College Cork
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker, Number 8, Lock
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Dolphin ()
UCC ()
Cork Constitution ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006–2007 Munster 2 (0)
2007–2010 Bedford Blues ()
2010–2011 Pertemps Bees 9 (0)
2011–2012 Rotherham 1 (0)
2011Hull Ionians (loan) ()
Correct as of 22 October 2011
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003 Ireland Schools
2004 Ireland U19
2005–2006 Ireland U21

Early life

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Born in Douglas, Cork, Noonan first began playing rugby for Cork club Dolphin's underage teams.[1] He attended Christian Brothers College and played Munster Schools Rugby Senior Cup for the school, captaining them to Bowen Shield victories in 2001 and 2003. He was part the UCC under-20s team that won the All-Ireland Under-20 League during the 2004–05 season and played for the sides senior team during the 2005–06 season, before joining Cork Constitution ahead of the 2006–07 season.[2]

Professional career

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Munster

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Noonan represented Munster at under-21 level in 2004 and 2005, and joined the newly created Munster academy in 2004. He was awarded the John McCarthy Award for Munster Academy Player of the Year for the 2005–06 season,[2] and made his competitive senior debut for the province on 1 September 2006, when he started in their 22–13 defeat against Welsh side Cardiff Blues whilst still in the academy.[3]

Bedford Blues

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Having found first team opportunities limited at Munster, Noonan left the province ahead of the 2007–08 season and moved to England to join Bedford Blues, who were coached by Mike Rayer and played in National Division 1.[4][5]

Pertemps Bees

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Noonan joined Birmingham & Solihull, better known as Pertemps Bees, from Bedford Blues,[6] though his time with the club was hampered by injury.[7]

Rotherham

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After being released by Pertemps Bees, Noonan joined Rotherham on a trial, but struggled to break into the first XV. He spent some time on loan to Hull Ionians, and Stourbridge expressed interest in signing Noonan to help in their relegation battle.[8]

Ireland

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Noonan was part of the Ireland Schools team that won a grand slam in 2003, and he went on to represent Ireland under-19s at the 2004 U19 World Championship, and Ireland under-21s at the 2005 and 2006 U21 World Championships.[2]

Life after rugby

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After ending his rugby career in 2012, Noonan joined Capgemini, before joining Berkeley Group Holdings.

References

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  1. ^ "No brotherly love amongst Coughlans as Dolphin face Con". Irish Examiner. 20 January 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Ross Noonan Receives John McCarthy Award". Munster Rugby. 9 August 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Munster make Blues work for their win". Munster Rugby. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Rayer moves in for Munster's Noonan". Bedford Today. 21 June 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Noonan Links Up With Bedford". Irish Rugby. 22 June 2007. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  6. ^ "Birmingham and Solihull Bees unveil new Championship squad". Birmingham Live. 1 July 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  7. ^ "Ross Noonan delighted to back in action for Birmingham & Solihull". Business Live. 21 January 2011. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  8. ^ "Stourbridge target ex-Birmingham and Solihull player Ross Noonan". Birmingham Live. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
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