WATCH: Rory Finneran bags brilliant assist as Notts County stun Sheffield Wednesday
Rory Finneran was the star of the show on Tuesday night as he helped inspire Notts County to a 2-0 victory over promotion-chasing Sheffield Wednesday in League One.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Meadow Lane so far and produced another moment of quality last night, providing a brilliant assist as County secured a surprise win.
Finneran’s quality assist seals surprise win
Notts County came into Tuesday night’s clash looking to make a statement against a Sheffield Wednesday side chasing promotion, and Finneran played a key role in a 2-0 victory.
The 18-year-old was praised for another impressive all-round display and capped it off in the 81st minute with a moment of real quality.
Finneran took the ball on the turn, sold a feint to take two Sheffield Wednesday midfielders out of the game, drove forward with the ball and played a perfectly weighted pass to Ireland Under-21 teammate Darius Lipsiuc, who finished well to secure the win. Watch the moment below:
After the game, fan channel @NottsCountyTalk said:
"He's been the best midfielder on the pitch by a country mile, an 18 year old. He's been so, so good. We have a ridiculous talent on our hands."
That's now one goal and an assist in Finneran's last four League One games, with the youngster producing a superb left-footed strike away to Oxford United in what was his first senior goal.
Newcastle have a serious talent on their hands
Finneran’s development is becoming an increasingly exciting story for Newcastle supporters.
The midfielder first attracted widespread attention at Blackburn Rovers, where he became the club’s youngest-ever debutant at just 15 years old. Newcastle moved to sign him in 2024, recognising the potential of a player already making waves at senior level.
His progress has continued on the international stage, too. Finneran made his senior Republic of Ireland debut against Grenada in May, aged just 18, marking another significant milestone in his young career.
He also helped Ireland’s Under-21s secure a rare victory over England during the most recent international break, adding to an impressive run of development across club and country.
Finneran has even drawn comparisons with Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali because of his all-action playing style, with his energy, work rate and ability to contribute in different phases of the game catching the eye.
The loan move to Notts County has given him the chance to turn that potential into consistent senior performances, and he's wasting no time showing Newcastle what he can do.
