Shamrock Rovers top prospect Conan Noonan has been stood down from football after experiencing heart issues following two bouts of Covid-19.
According to Hoops boss Stephen Bradley, the 19-year-old attacker could have been the ‘standout young player in the country’ this season.
He made four appearances for the league champions league season, three times in the league and once in the FAI Cup.
But he has been absent this season after being advised to restrict his involvement on medical grounds while doctors try to get to the root of the issue.
Bradley said today: “I’m a bit gutted about Conan Noonan to be honest. He would have played a big part for us this year but he hasn’t been able to train for four or five months.
“After Covid, he has had problems with his heart, irregular heartbeats, getting dizzy. He’s not allowed to train with us at the moment.
“Basically, he’s walking and getting checked by the doc every second week.
“We thought he was about to train six weeks ago and literally jogged and his heart rate and blood pressure went through the roof so we took him out again.”
Bradley admits it has been difficult for young star Noonan to come to terms with not being able to train and play.
“He is such a good kid and someone we felt this year would make a real contribution, who I felt could have been the standout young player in the country, he has that much ability.
“It’s just really frustrating that he hasn’t been able to show that.”
Asked if Noonan was experiencing the effects of long Covid, Bradley said: “They don’t want to diagnose anything yet.
“They just want to get to the bottom of it but he’s had Covid twice and he just hasn’t been able to get himself right after the last dose.
“We just have to go with the doctors. In terms of young lads, he’s one who we thought would have been right there but unfortunately it has just knocked him.”
Meanwhile, Bradley has not ruled out making some new signings ahead of the Hoops European group stage campaign.
Tallaght Stadium has today got UEFA’s seal of approval to host games in the Europa Conference League group stage.
Rovers are still in the Europa League playoff proper, but are trailing Ferencvaros 4-0 when they host them in Tallaght tomorrow with a near sell-out crowd expected.
But quizzed on potential new arrivals, Bradley said: “We’re looking at a few but it’s about making sure that they are the right ones.
“If someone does help us and improves us, we will try and do it. The board has said they’ll be supportive of that.”
Agents have been bombarding Bradley with player offers ever since Shamrock Rovers secured group stage football.
And Bradley said: “It’s so much more appealing to players around Europe. But I’d be very uncomfortable signing a player just on video.
“Sometimes you look at a player and he’s good on video and he or the agent are looking to come in. Sometimes you just walk away. That’s happened quite a few times.”
Bradley would rather have a potential new signing in with the squad at Roadstone before sealing a deal, adding: “If they don’t come in, sometimes it’s better to walk away.”
READ NEXT:
What Roy Keane actually said to Cristiano Ronaldo as mics pick-up cheeky comment
Hugs and handshakes aplenty for Roy Keane as Manchester United beat Liverpool
Former St Patrick's goalkeeper Joseph Anang suffers fractured arm in Derby County training
Dylan McCarthy remembered as 'a real team player' as GAA club pays tribute
Alfredo Morelos breaks Rangers silence after Champions League axe
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
