His regular position was as a forward. He played for Eire SchoolboysBray WanderersManchester United, Waterford and Altrincham Football Club,
That club (A forerunner of the present Waterford United)is now defunct. Noel"s son Ross McFarlane was a successful professional golfer, and is now a commentator for Sky Sports and other television and media outlets.
He was one of the legendary Busby Babes, a member of the formidable Manchester United youth team in the mid 50"s that included Duncan Edwards and others that perished in the 1958 Munich air disaster.After returning to Ireland he played in the League of Ireland with Waterford Football Club in the later 1950s.