Nolan earns sixth cap as Ireland fire eight past Kazakhstan
Hayley Nolan earned her sixth Irish international cap in Ireland's comprehensive win over Kazakhstan Photo: ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Kildare's Hayley Nolan earned her sixth senior cap when coming on as a second half substitute in the Republic of Ireland’s 8-0 victory over ten player Kazakhstan in the first leg of the World Cup Qualifier in Astana Arena on Friday.
Former Kill Celtic and indeed Kildare LGFA underage player, Nolan, who plays for Crystal Palace in the Women’s Super League cross channel, entered the fray in the 70th minute for Anna Patten at which stage Ireland, without captain, Katie McCabe (suspended) and Denise O’Sullivan (rested) were already 6-0 up.
Carla Ward’s side opened the scoring through Kyra Carusa in the seventh minute and added a second through Chloe Mustaki on sixteen minutes. Carusa added a second goal just before the half hour mark after which Kazakhstan lost their captain, Yulia Myasnikova, to what appeared to be a harsh a red card. Emily Murphy and Player of the Match, Abbie Larkin, added two more goals just before halftime to see the Girls in Green lead 5-0 at the break. Three more goals were added in the second half through Jamie Finn, debutant and Crystal Palace clubmate of Hayley Nolan, Shanade Hopcroft and Jess Stapleton.
Speaking to The Kildare Nationalist immediately after the game 29-year-old Kill native Nolan said, “I love playing for my country and representing Ireland so I’m delighted to get on the pitch today and to be part of such a great result.”
Hayley, who earned her first senior cap against Belgium in April 2021, is already looking forward to next Tuesday’s return leg in Pairc Uí Chaoimh, where Ireland are on the cusp of advancing to Round 2 of the Qualifiers where they will meet either Belgium or Poland, added, “8-0 is a brilliant result for us and we’ll look to carrying that momentum into Tuesday’s second leg.”
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Courtney Brosnan; Anna Patten (Hayley Nolan 70), Jess Stapleton, Caitlin Hayes (Shanade Hopcroft 70), Aoife Mannion, Megan Connolly, (Tyler Toland 45), Jamie Finn, Emily Murphy (Amber Barrett 45), Abbie Larkin, Chloe Mustaki, Kyra Carusa (Leanne Kiernan 45).
