Noel Hunt

Noel Hunt (born 26 December 1982 in Waterford) is an Irish forward who joined Dunfermline Athletic on 27 January 2003, going on to win the club’s Young Player of the Season award for the 2003-04 season. His pace and aggressive running won praise from Dunfermline supporters, but his time at the club was disrupted somewhat by a recurring knee injury. He joined Dundee United in June 2006 for £50,000 and went on to play for Reading alongside his brother, Stephen.

Hunt began playing junior club football in Waterford, before being signed by Damien Richardson for League of Ireland club, Shamrock Rovers in Dublin in 2001, aged 18. He went on in subsequent seasons to reward the club by being top club goalscorer with eleven league goals and two FAI Cup goals to propel Rovers to the FAI Cup final and third place in the league.

During this time he also made his European debut playing twice for the club in the UEFA Cup. His final match for Shamrock Rovers was on the last day of the season, 24 January 2003, when he was substituted to a hero`s reception in a game where Rovers beat Longford Town 3-2 to secure a place in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. He was awarded the Shamrock Rovers Player of the Year award that season. Hunt scored a total of 14 goals for Shamrock.

Hunt has played four times for Ireland under-21 football team scoring once. He was named in the Republic of Ireland "B" squad on 8 November 2007, for the match against Scotland on 20 November at the Excelsior Stadium in Airdrie which ended in a 1-1 draw.

He was called up to the senior squad for the Poland friendly in November 2008, after injuries to Robbie Keane and Aiden McGeady making his debut in the game, coming on as a substitute in 60th minute.

His second cap for the Republic of Ireland came in the World Cup Qualifying tie against Italy in Bari, Southern Italy. He came on as a substitute for his then Reading colleague, Kevin Doyle. Noel started his first competitive game in Ireland`s last World Cup qualifying tie in October 2009.

During his time at Reading Noel was awarded three full caps for the Republic of Ireland and helped the club win the Championship in 2012, gaining promotion to the Premier League.

In 2012 Noel and hurling legend Davy Fitzgerald became the joint owners of The Dugout Bar in Ennis County Clare, which is now closed.