Hayley Nolan

Hayley Nolan (born 7 March 1997) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for London City Lionesses in the FA Women's Championship and the Republic of Ireland national team.

Club Career

Early years

Nolan was raised in County Kildare, Ireland, and is the daughter of Caroline Kelly and John Nolan. Her father was the coach of Johnstown United and, after Nolan began to show potential, he encouraged her to sign for local boys club Kill Celtic at the age of six. She played with the boys' teams until under-12 level before signing for her first women's team, Peamount United. Nolan also grew up playing gaelic football, representing Kill GAA at U12, U14, U16 and minor.

Playing football as a schoolgirl, Nolan won honours at provincial and national level representing both Peamount United and her high school, St. Marys College Naas. In September 2013, she was named player of the match as Peamount beat Salthill Devon in the 2013 FAI Umbro Women’s U16 Cup final.

Peamount United

In 2013, Nolan was promoted to Peamount United senior women's side in Women's National League. In 2015 she played all 120 minutes in a 3–2 WNL Cup final defeat to Raheny United after extra-time.

Hartford Hawks

Having originally planned at attend University College Dublin, Nolan was recruited by the University of Hartford and accepted a four-year scholarship to play college soccer and study economics and finance. She played four seasons for Hartford Hawks including two as team captain in 2017 and 2018. As a freshman Nolan was named to the America East All-Rookie Team and also received America East All-Championship Team honors, something she went on to replicate in all four seasons. Her first career goal was a game-winner against conference opponents Stony Brook on 1 October 2015.

Nolan was named captain at the start of her junior year in 2017. She also changed position, moving from midfield to defense. She was named to the