Before noon I leave pal (5)
I believe the answer is:
amigo
'pal' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'before noon i leave' is the wordplay.
'before noon' becomes 'AM' (as in AM on a clock).
'leave' becomes 'go' (to go is to depart or leave).
'am'+'i'+'go'='AMIGO'
(Other definitions for amigo that I've seen before include "Quixote's friend" , "friend in Uruguay" , "Friend, comrade" , "A Spanish pal" , "Spanish word meaning friend" .)