Former Waterford FC player Eddie Nolan is back playing in the Waterford SFC for his club Roanmore. Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
Eddie Nolan is back where it all started. Playing for Roanmore, simply enjoying sport.
Two decades were spent as a professional footballer in England. Three Republic of Ireland senior caps were earned, 400 appearances made in the English game at various levels.
A return to hometown club, Waterford FC, followed with Nolan contributing for the Blues. When that chapter ended, though, Nolan was happy to feature for Roanmore once more.
Nolan is making an impact for Roanmore in the Waterford SFC with Saturday’s clash against Gaultier an opportunity to secure a place in the knockout stages. “When I first moved home, Emmet O'Toole, the manager, by chance asked me would I get involved, helping out on the sideline,” Nolan explains.
“I said ‘no bother’, I got involved that way and we ended up being successful. When I did retire, I said I'd give it a go, and I've been playing in the last two championships, last year and this year, I'm enjoying it.”
It is an exciting stint for Roanmore, who reached a Waterford SHC final three years ago and are now operating in the SFC also. “It is a chance to get to the knockout stages,” Nolan says about Saturday’s clash against a well regarded Gaultier outfit.
“We're in a good place, it is our first year senior in Gaelic, we’re renowned for the hurling, but we're a dual club. You don't have too many dual clubs in Waterford, it is a big achievement for us, especially when hurling is the main sport in the club.”
Nolan moved to Blackburn Rovers as a teenager, making one first team appearance with the Ewood Park club. Spells at Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Scunthorpe United, York City, Blackpool, and Crewe Alexandra followed.
Being back with Roanmore matters deeply to Nolan. “I'm enjoying it,” Nolan says. “I probably preferred the GAA before I moved to England, but I couldn't turn that down.
“I'm delighted to be back playing, hopefully I'll get another year or two before the legs are completely gone. I played up to U14 with Roanmore and Waterford,” Nolan recalls.
“I played hurling and Gaelic until then, but I had to stop playing to go to England when I was 15. I played the year above for the Tony Forristal, I was a year younger, I couldn't play the following year because I was going to England. It was a good experience.”
Nolan hails from a famous Waterford GAA family. “My grandad on my mother's side, he has an All-Ireland medal with Waterford, my uncle (John Galvin) has two All-Stars,” Nolan says. “My father (Eddie Senior) played for Waterford hurling, all my brothers (Billy, Brian, and Shane), we've all played too. It was the main sport in the family, then I decided to go to England.”
Billy Nolan, Roanmore, and Eddie Meaney, De La Salle, in action during the 2023 Waterford SHC semi-final at Walsh Park. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
When Nolan joined Blackburn, several Irish youngsters were in the Academy at the time. “The homesickness was tough, but it was good to have a good core of Irish and Scottish lads, they were around because we'd stay in the digs when all the local lads would go home,” Nolan says. “It was important, we had four or five Irish lads, we kept each other going.”
Forging a career in the game was demanding, but Nolan embraced the challenge. “I enjoyed what I was doing, I was lucky enough to play with good players and good clubs,” he says.
“I enjoyed my time, but it is a ruthless business, that is for sure. A lot of people on the outside, they don't see the ins and outs of the day to day stuff.”
Representing the Republic of Ireland at senior level brought a real sense of satisfaction. “Definitely,” he replies. “That is probably one of my biggest achievements, especially in the era it was with that Irish team.
“You had world class players in that. I made my debut playing behind Damien Duff, Robbie Keane was in the starting team, too. I didn't feel like I belonged there, but it was certainly a great experience.”
Returning home to Waterford was the plan. “I was always going to come home at some stage,” he says. "My wife is from Waterford too, all the family is back in Ireland.
"When Covid hit, you're stuck in the house on your own, we just had a newborn, we said we'd come home sooner rather than later. It was brilliant to play for Waterford FC. I used to go down when I was younger, stand behind the goal.”
When the soccer concluded, Nolan was ready, willing, and able to deliver for Roanmore, alongside his brothers. “Friends who I played with when I was young are still playing now,” he says.
“I've three brothers, but at the minute only three of us are playing. One of my brothers, Shane, he is busy with the football himself.
“He is first team coach with Wexford FC and is an analyst with Irish underage teams. He hasn't the time to commit to it, he was a big player last year for us.”
There has been joy in the journey. Nolan appreciates the value of sport. “It is one of the main parts of my life,” Nolan says. “It is good for the head too, it is a distraction.
"If people have something going on in their lives, it helps get away, the enjoyment. It has kept me going through ups and downs over the years, it is always something to look forward to.”
Roanmore are glad to have another Nolan back in action.
