After earning one schoolboy cap in 1949 and captaining the international youths twice he made his Shamrock Rovers debut on 1 September 1952 in a Dublin City Cup game against Drumcondra.
He went on to become part of the teams of the 1950s and was the scorer of a last-minute winning goal in the 1956 FAI Cup final against Cork Athletic.
Nolan also had a spell as player and assistant manager at Bohemians during which time he picked up another FAI Cup winners medal in 1970.
A strong, uncompromising defender, Noland won ten caps for the Republic of Ireland national team.
Nolan was also a member of Newlands Golf Club and an enthusiastic and capable golfer and all round great sportsman and also a gentleman.