Teen prodigy Michael Noonan will make his U21 debut in Moldova next Thursday as manager Jim Crawford doesn’t feel fast-tracking players without granting exposure is fair.

Noonan turned 17 last month and will be part of the Ireland squad that features at the U17 World Cup in November but he’ll have Euro U21 qualification experience behind him by then.

Shamrock Rovers produced the transfer coup of the LOI pre-season by luring Noonan from St Patrick’s Athletic in February and he made an instant impact by scoring away to Molde in the knockout stage of the Conference League.

Manchester City have been linked with Noonan for a couple of years but he’s sticking around for at least another 11 months until his 18th birthday permits a UK move.

Crawford’s side have been grouped with back-to-back Euro winners England, managed by England, in their quest to reach a first-ever tournament. Moldova in Nisporeni followed by Andorra four days later are must-win games before they host Slovakia on October 10 and travel to face England on November 14.

Derry-born Trent Kone-Doherty, part of Liverpool’s first-team in pre-season, is another uncapped tyro set to figure over the two matches.

“We’re not bringing Michael over here to be sat on the bench for 90 minutes and not play,” reasons Crawford when confirming the Hoop’s participation in the opener.

“I don’t think that’s right to do that when you’re bringing a player from another age group.

“It’ll give Michael a real taste of an older level and that will help his development.

“I just know Trent is desperate to play for Ireland so I’m happy with that. We wouldn’t have included him otherwise.

“I had a conversation with him about coming in for the June friendlies but he had a knock and Liverpool felt the most important thing for him to do was to rest, allowing him to come back for pre-season on the front foot.

“I think ultimately that was the right call.” 

Crawford’s desire to have Jack Morehouse (Manchester United) and Owen Elding (Sligo Rovers) with him for the trip was scuppered by eligibility clearance. Both attackers are English born and awaiting applications to be approved by Fifa.

“It’s not ideal at all but it is what it is,” sighed the manager. “It’s in the hands of the passport people now and it’s a waiting game.

“I was told that October would be a more realistic window that we’ll have both of them available for selection – depending on how they’re performing.” 

IRELAND U21 SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Noah Jauny (Stade Brestois), Aaron Maguire (Tottenham Hotspur), Andrew Wogan (Chester FC, on loan from Stockport County).

Defenders: James Abankwah (Watford), Jacob Devaney (Manchester United), Sean Grehan (Doncaster Rovers), Alex Murphy (Newcastle United), David Okagbue (Peterborough United), Jacob Slater (Brighton & Hove Albion), Freddie Turley (Derby County).

Midfielders: Romeo Akachukwu (Southampton), Jad Hakiki (Sligo Rovers), Darius Lipsiuc (Solihull Moors, on loan from Stoke City), Cathal McCarthy (Hull City), Jamie Mullins (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Murphy (Bristol City), Harry Vaughan (Hull City).

Forwards: Cian Dillon (Queens Park Rangers), Trent Kone-Doherty (Liverpool), Mason Melia (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Michael Noonan (Shamrock Rovers), Mark O’Mahony (Reading, on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion), Rocco Vata (Watford).

UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers (kick-offs are Irish time)

Thursday, September 4: Moldova U21 v Ireland U21, Moldova, 5pm

Tuesday, September 9: Ireland U21 v Andorra U21, Tallaght Stadium, 7.30pm.