Recalled Toland always knew her international chance would come
By her 21st birthday, Tyler Toland had played for English, Scottish and Spanish giants, broken records and broken her shin.
That catalogue of events was in itself daunting enough without being superseded by attracting the tag of rebellious outcast.
Vera Pauw spent at least half of Toland's four-year exile from the Ireland squad fielding questions on the rift and tender years didn’t prevent the blame from being laid firmly at her door.
The then teen was urged by the veteran coach to show ‘guts’ by telephoning the boss to apologise.
Toland didn’t know what the apology related to – when Pauw admitted the pair had disagreed – but her conciliatory text message in April 2021 was ignored.
As the profile of Pauw and the team soared towards the World Cup, the name of the absent Donegal native descended to a footnote.
That never dimmed her appetite for national service. Thirteen caps earned over two years would have to wait another four to be added to but it’s happened.
In effect, the midfielder has had two Ireland debuts, both against Northern Ireland.
One as a 16-year-old record breaker in 2017, the second four weeks ago before a record crowd at Aviva Stadium.
“I knew the chance would come and here I am," said the St Johnston playmaker, offered a route back by Eileen Gleeson, the interim manager who replaced Pauw last month.
"It's a football mentality really. I don't know. You need the physical and mental side to be a good player."
The calibre of player Manchester City swooped for shortly after her Ireland breakthrough was granted by Colin Bell.
In Bell’s last qualifier at the helm, also against Northern Ireland at Tallaght Stadium, a late tackle perforated Toland’s shin pad.
The original plan City and their Irish
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