Noel Hunt

Ireland

Hunt began playing junior club football in his home city of Waterford at Johnville FC, before being signed by Damien Richardson for League of Ireland club, Shamrock Rovers in Dublin in 2001, aged 18. He made his competitive debut in a 3–2 League of Ireland Cup win over Shelbourne on 29 October 2001, and scored his first competitive goal in the same competition in January. Rovers then loaned him out to Waterford United where he scored five league goals in the First Division in the 2001–02 season. Scoring on his debut in December 2001 he was later embroiled in controversy as the Blues were deducted three points due to incorrect registration. The following season was the last winter football season and in the shortened 27-game series, new manager Liam Buckley played Hunt and he rewarded 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, 26 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 the "Hoops".

Dunfermline Athletic

Hunt moved to Scottish Premier League club Dunfermline Athletic…

Hunt made his debut as a substitute for his country at Rugby Park in a Republic of Ireland under-21 national football team friendly game against Scotland in February 2003. He went on to play four times at this level scoring once in Tbilisi. 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 the 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. Hunt started his first competitive game in Ireland's last World Cup qualifying tie in October 2009.

On 13 November 2018, Hunt was appointed assistant manager at Swindon Town working alongside the newly appointed manager, Richie Wellens. Swindon Town owner, Lee Power, confirmed during an interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire that Hunt had also been registered as a player. On 4 November 2020, he was appointed caretaker manager of Swindon Town due to Richie Wellens leaving for Salford City. On 2 December 2020, Hunt left Swindon Town by mutual consent. In May 2021, Hunt became assistant manager to Richie Wellens at Doncaster Rovers, following Wellens in leaving the club in December 2021.

Reading

On 20 February 2022, Reading announced that Hunt had been appointed as Senior Professional Development Coach. On 11 April 2023, Hunt was announced as Reading's Interim First Team Manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Paul Ince. On 7 December 2024, following the departure of Rubén Sellés to Hull City, Hunt was appointed first-team manager on a two-and-a-half year contract. He was nominated for the League One Manager of the Month award for March 2025 after leading Reading to 3 wins and 3 draws from 6 games. On 26 October 2025, following a 1–1 draw with Doncaster, and Reading sat 19th in League One, Noel Hunt was sacked.

In 2012 Hunt became a joint owner with former Clare hurler Davy Fitzgerald of a pub called The Dugout in Ennis, County Clare. Hunt married his fiancée Alana Bracey in June 2013.