'I'm absolutely delighted to be back': Tyler Toland

Controlled and composed: Tyler Toland’s post-match interview was an exact replica of her performance.

After four years in international football’s wilderness, the St Johnston woman was the player of the match for the Republic of Ireland in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Northern Ireland in the Nations League.

In front of 35,994, a record crowd for a women’s international, at Aviva Stadium, Toland starred.

Having been banished by Vera Pauw, Toland was immediately recalled by Eileen Gleeson, the interim manager, following the Dutchwoman’s controversial departure.

Back with a bang: Tyler Toland returns for Ireland with player of the match display

Tyler Toland ended four years in international exile as the Republic of Ireland WNT defeated Northern Ireland in the Nations League at the Aviva Stadium

Toland might’ve been forgiven for going in two-footed - as team-mate Diane Caldwell had done earlier in the week - about her experience of her time in the cold. Instead, Toland opted to keep her gaze firmly forward.

“All I can say is that I’m absolutely delighted to be back," Toland beamed. "Nothing makes me more proud than to play for my country.

“We’re going to look forward. We have a few big games coming up. We’re going to keep pushing on, creating history and driving on the legacy.”

Lucy Quinn opened the scoring and Lily Agg completed it. In between times, Toland had a big hand in the second goal, converted by Kyra Carusa.

She said: “We picked up the three points and we had a great team performance. That’s a performance to build on for Hungary.

“We have a lot of talent here in Ireland. My job is just to help the team and that’s what I did to the best of my ability. We move forward now and hopefully we can keep pushing forward as a team.”

Gleeson wasted no time in drafting Toland back into the fold. The 22-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfielder was thrust right back into the furnace again, handed a start for a first appearance since September 2019. Back then, she was also player of the match having netted a goal in a 2-0 win over Montenegro.

Toland said: “I kept my head down and kept working. I was absolutely buzzing when I got the call from Eileen.

“It was incredible to get the call. There is nothing that makes me prouder than putting on the green jersey. To get the opportunity is something that I’m so thankful for.

“Coming into camp, you always have an opportunity to start. It’s always a possibility. When I came in on Monday, I just said I’d keep my head down and work hard.

“I’m nervous for every game and for every training session, but you always have to be ready as a footballer.”

The big home support was swelled by a large contingent from Donegal, eager to get a glimpse of local heroes Toland and Amber Barrett, who came off the bench for the closing stages.

Toland said: “It’s a very proud day to be Irish. Having so many people coming out is absolutely incredible. Hopefully it continues this way, we keep picking up wins and the people of Ireland keep coming to watch us.

“It was absolutely incredible out there. Seeing so many Irish fans would make you so proud to be Irish. It was a great occasion."