Hayley Nolan believes teams are ‘Quitely Scared’ of playing Ireland

Ireland International and London City Lionesses defender Hayley Nolan is in Vera Pauw’s training camp this week in Marbella and believes this squad is difficult to beat with opponents fearing the prospect of facing them.

Nolan has made one international appearance so far, but a recent switch from the centre of the park to the back line has brought her into the picture.

At the beginning of her domestic season, Nolan who was not involved in the WNT at the time said it was only a matter of time before Ireland qualified for a major tournament, and sure enough within three months we are preparing to face Nigeria, Canada and hosts Australia next Summer on the biggest stage.

When prompted on what she saw in this team to believe that, Nolan responded that, “It’s the talent in the room, we have so many talented players, but also the hunger, drive, and determination from everyone in the room”

“When teams come to play us, I think they’re quietly scared as they don’t know if they can get a result against us, I think we are difficult to defeat and difficult to score against.”

The Kildare native believes that Ireland can firmly compete at the World Cup next Summer, and is looking forward to the opportunity of facing Morocco on Monday. Morocco beat Ireland’s WC group opponents Nigeria in the AFCON Semi-Final this year falling to South Africa in the Final.

For Australia, Nolan is banking on the Irish down under to come out in force and get behind the team, knowing from last year that Ireland have an opportunity to get off to the perfect start against the tournament hosts. “We competed very well last year when we played against them in Tallaght Stadium” “I know they are the home nation but for us it will feel a bit like we are a home nation with the amount of fans we will have at the game, and that will definitely play into our favour.”

It has been a fantastic start to her domestic campaign in the English Championship for the 25-year-old centre-back. Only one defeat so far and a run of 5 clean sheets in a row before conceding twice to fellow international Louise Quinn at the weekend but still coming out with the points has left the London City Lionesses in second in the table. A strong position for Nolan and her team as she mentioned getting into the WSL next season is the goal.