Ireland ace Hayley Nolan shares her unusual summer holiday in preparation for USA clash
HAYLEY Nolan is on the comeback trail with Ireland after spending her summer getting the steps in.
While team-mates headed on sun holidays following the conclusion of their club seasons, Nolan put on her hiking boots.
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The Kildare native's last Ireland cap came against the USA in 2023
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Nolan is ready to receive her first cap in two years
She was in Galicia in northern Spain with family walking the Camino — a popular pilgrimage trek to Santiago de Compostela.
Ahead of Friday morning's friendly meeting with the USA, Crystal Palace defender Nolan said: 'I've had four weeks and then I will have a week or ten days before pre-season. I wasn't in Ibiza! That wasn't me!
'We had a family holiday on the Camino. We did about 20km a day, my family did the entire walk. I only did half of it. It was just to spend time together as a family.
'I'm the youngest and it's difficult because we all have different jobs and as a footballer I don't get that much time off.
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'So we just said we would take this opportunity to get away as a family and do something different.
'I absolutely loved it. I've two older sisters and it was the first time in a long time to spend a good period together with them. I really enjoyed it.
'There was no bickering! If we were tired, I think we decided to go to bed in case there might have been a falling-out! Ah no, it was good craic.
'I've never done anything like it, normally it is just the beach or pool and you don't get to spend real time together. Whereas you have no choice when you're walking.'
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It also meant plenty of extra aerobic work ahead of what will likely be her first Ireland appearance in two years tomorrow night in Denver.
The 28-year-old Kildare woman won the last of her three caps against the USA in 2023 when Vera Pauw's squad was preparing for the World Cup that summer.
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But while part of the provisional panel, she did not make it on the plane to Australia and was only included in one squad since.
That hurt given she was an ever-present at Palace two seasons ago when the club won promotion to the WSL. But she has earned a recall under Carla Ward.
Nolan added: 'During that time I was disappointed not to be called in but I think, as a football player, you just have to put your head down and do what you can do at club level.
'I am really proud of that season and for us as a club.
'But I am just looking to the future now and I am really excited to be back involved with the girls and really looking forward to showcasing what I can do. I really want to help the team.
'I did think that when I got the call that one of my last caps was against the USA and that feels like a full-circle moment. I am really looking forward to it, really excited to be back in.
'I have had a few conversations with Carla, but I have been injured and it is hard to put yourself up for selection when you are not fit and healthy.
'I played the last six games of the WSL season and performed well and it has merited this call-up and me getting in.'
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