‘I’m proud of how I’ve conducted myself this year’ - Waterford FC's Conan Noonan

Conan Noonan admits this season has tested him in ways he never expected, but the Waterford FC attacker believes the sacrifices he has made for the team have helped put the Blues on the brink of a place in the Club Orange FAI Men's Cup final.

Waterford travel to Dalymount Park on Friday to face Bohemians in a hugely anticipated semi-final and, while Noonan acknowledges the occasion is one of the biggest of his career, he insists the focus remains firmly on the challenge ahead.

The former Shamrock Rovers player has adapted to a much different role under Graham Coughlan, spending much of the season on the left side of midfield with significant defensive responsibilities. While it has not brought the attacking numbers he would have hoped for, Noonan feels he has given everything for the cause.

"To be honest, I’ve found it hard. If I'm being honest about it, it's not been easy," he said.

"It's obviously completely different to anything I've really had to do. I'm obviously playing left wing at the moment, a position I've never played in my life. A lot of defensive work, but as long as we keep winning, I don't care what it takes to help the team win.

"It's been a hard year, but I'm proud of myself for how I've conducted myself and I feel like when I look back at the end of the season, I can't look back on one moment where I haven't given everything."

Noonan also carried the added expectation of arriving at the RSC as Waterford's record signing, something he admits surprised him.

"I remember when the announcement came out that I was the most expensive, I didn't even know until it was announced. It was a shock to me.

"It was hard. It hasn't been the year I've wanted in terms of influence and stuff, but I think I've gotten the best out of myself with what I can do."

The 23-year-old believes his contribution to the side extends beyond goals and assists, pointing to the work rate demanded by Waterford's current system.

"There's this perception of me that people don't think I run. Even last year, I was top of the stats most weeks, but this year it's even more. It's more sprints, and the lads joke that I'm nearly left back half the time.

"I don't mind. I actually enjoy that side of the game. Just anything to help the team, help the club, I'll do anything to help us win and influence it whatever way I can."

That attitude has become a hallmark of a Waterford side that has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence under Coughlan.

"Everyone's bought in to how we play. It's not pretty, but it's effective, and everyone is one.

"We're a really good unit now, really disciplined. We just get after teams, and it's just a completely really, really honest team.

"You can see it on the pitch, we're just basically dying for the club. I think that's all the fans want and are going to ask of us."

Now that commitment will be tested in a cup semi-final that Noonan believes will be one of the most memorable days of his career.

"Oh, special. I think you can feel the buzz kind of everywhere, just around the place, in the county. It's obviously my second year here; it's just special.

"It's going to be, I'd imagine, probably the most special game of my career so far, so I'm really, really looking forward to it. I just hope we can get the job done."

While Waterford are one step away from a first cup final appearance since 2004, Noonan insists there is no sense of fear heading to Phibsborough.

"We've nothing to fear. We've beaten every team in the league since the Gaffer's come in, obviously bar Rovers.

"We completely respect them because they're a very good team, very good staff, fans, everything. We've beaten them. We can do it, and we know that."

His confidence is fuelled by memories of Waterford's recent clash with Bohemians at the RSC, a match he regards as one of the team's finest displays of the campaign.

"The first half, I remember coming off at half-time and I think there was maybe 2,500 or 3,000 in the crowd. It felt like 20,000.

"It was the most special atmosphere I've ever experienced. I remember Paddy saying to me, 'Take it in', because it was just so special.

"I'll always remember that game."

Waterford's squad also contains players with experience of football's biggest domestic occasions, including Benny Couto and Tommy Lonergan, and Noonan says their stories have only increased the squad's determination to reach the Aviva Stadium.

"They say it's one of the best days of their lives. They say it's so special.

"It just gives you extra motivation because obviously you want to be there."

For now, however, the focus remains entirely on Bohemians and the opportunity to take another step in Waterford's remarkable season. And when the prospect of scoring a winner in the semi-final was put to him, Noonan's response summed up both his ambition and belief.

"Would be very, very nice."