Great to see how well Newcastle United loan star Rory Finneran is doing.
Still only 18 but the midfielder made his international senior debut for the Republic of Ireland earlier this year.
Rory Finneran also training with the Newcastle United first team squad last season, as well as playing for the NUFC Under 21s rather than Under 18s.
Going out on loan to League One Notts County, the teenager has been outstanding and a regular starter.
His latest performance (watch highlights below) saw him boss the game against Sheffield Wednesday.
A 2-0 win and an excellent assist from Rory Finneran for the second goal.
Newcastle United with such an exciting prospect in Rory Finneran. An 18-year-old who sees the space, who glides effortlessly into space, with or without the ball.
He looks to have it all in midfield but is clearly in the right place at the moment, the right level, as he prospers in League One at the age of 18.
Rory Finneran vs. Sheffield Wednesday.
#NUFC https://t.co/wcg7YuwVgu— Adeolu. (@AdeoluwakitanS) October 21, 2026
I have read a lot of very complimentary comments from Notts County fans and this one sums them up: “Normally, I would keep as quiet as possible about a brilliant loan signing, but there’s absolutely no point this time. This lad is going to the very top. 18 year old Rory Finneran. On loan with us at Notts County from Newcastle United. Pure class. Remember the name…”
Back in May of this year, Rory Finneran making his first senior international appearance for the Republic of Ireland at the age of only 18 and three month old. The teenager coming off the bench in a 5-0 victory over Grenada.
The teenager telling official Newcastle United media after making his first senior appearances for the Republic of Ireland: “It’s a great achievement for me and my family but I think it makes you want to get more of it and work even harder to get more. It doesn’t feel real to be honest. I got told I’d be coming on and then I was on the pitch. I don’t know how to explain it – it all felt a bit surreal in the moment but I really enjoyed the experience. Most of my family got over, my close family and a few other family members, to watch me. It was a big moment for them, too..doing it at 18 years old makes it even better but, after getting a taste of that, you want more of it.”
In May, Rory Finneran also reflected on his time at Newcastle United so far: “This season has been a great experience. I’ve played a lot of games in different competitions and that was one of the main things I wanted to achieve. I think I’ve improved a lot during the season, doing what I set out to do with the under-21s.”
Against serious competition from countless clubs, Rory Finneran signed for Newcastle United from Blackburn Rovers in 2024.
As well as a great year with the United Under 21s last season, the teenager also trained with the Newcastle first team squad to help accelerate his progression.
Rory Finneran telling NUFC official media: “There’s a lot of great players in the first-team to look up to. Whenever you’re training with them, you see the top level they’re at and it shows you what you’ve got to do but also, subconsciously, learning as much as you can when you’re playing with or against them. Being in and around that has been a massive help for my career because they’re top players. The most important thing is making sure I continue to develop and then, eventually, playing first-team football whether that is with Newcastle or going out on loan. Hopefully, that’s the next step for me.”