McCabe celebrates Ireland’s World Cup Qualification. Photo Credit: FIFA
Leading out the Irish as they make their debut in the Women’s World Cup, is one of Ireland’s most celebrated sport’s stars, Katie McCabe. Originally from Kilnamanagh, South Dublin, McCabe is already an established player amongst the squad, with 73 caps to her name and plenty more to come.
As one of eleven siblings, football was always the focal point of the McCabe family. Katie’s older brother Gary is a retired Irish footballer, best known for his time at Shamrock Rovers, while her younger sister Lauryn McCabe is looking to follow in her footsteps, representing Ireland at under 17s. Katie McCabe first started her own football journey when she joined local boys team Kilnamanagh FC, before joining her first girls team Templeogue, aged 10.
McCabe first came into the national team set-up at under 15s, before being selected for under 17s and under 19s, having to avoid clashes between games. All the while, she trained with Women’s National League Side Raheny United. McCabe made her first appearance for Ireland’s senior women’s team in March 2015 versus Hungary, and has since been a prominent name in the squad. Her leadership and fearlessness from a young age has certainly levelled Ireland from playing it safe on the pitch, to being brave and taking risks, and seeing those rewards pay off.
Although only 27 years old, you shouldn’t doubt the experience and leadership that captain McCabe brings to the team. Aged just 21, she became Ireland’s youngest ever captain as Colin Bell offered her the role in 2017, large footsteps to fill in taking over from the highly respected Emma Byrne.
This season more than ever, McCabe has had to step up as a leader, not only internationally but at club level too. After Arsenal’s accumulative injury list seeing Leah Williamson, Kim Little and Lia Walti all take to the sidelines, McCabe, the last standing player of their leadership team, captained Arsenal for the final two months of a tough season. This ability to rise to the challenge of motivating a team depleted by injury and still securing them Champion’s League football certainly contributed to McCabe being named Arsenal’s player of the season.
There’s so much that Katie McCabe can transfer from her club season to her country this summer. While many players in this Ireland squad lack the experience of playing in major competitions, McCabe has played in the Champions League in multiple seasons so already has the exposure of intense games and knock-out football. Given this is Ireland’s first time competing in a major tournament, the rest of the team will be looking to her for composure and focus in the most pressurised moments.
Katie McCabe was only 21 when members of the Irish team decided to boycott, protesting over the inequality and poor treatment they received from the FAI in comparison to the men’s side. She admitted her naivety about the situation at the time, but understood the senior squad members’ bravery and demand for their voice to be heard, wanting better for not only their squad but women’s football as a whole. This is certainly a memory that has stuck with the current captain, who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself or others. Having a naturally brave leader who will speak their mind is paramount for the treatment of women’s teams to improve, and this Irish team is no different.
McCabe is part of a generation that are pioneers of women’s football, and throughout her career has been keen to inspire the younger generation of female Irish footballers and get more girls involved in the sport. We’ve seen her give up her time for countless fan interactions which obviously mean a great deal to the young girls who see McCabe as their role model. She’s spoke many times about the difficulties of playing the sport as a young girl, and how daunting it was to be the only female on a team of boys. Now, she hopes that the team she leads have allowed young Irish girls to “dare to dream” and follow in their footsteps.
While Katie McCabe is just the captain that Ireland need, her technicality on the pitch shouldn’t be overlooked. She is a tenacious and versatile player, being able to slot in effortlessly at left back, midfield or on the wing. She began her career prominently as an attacking player, until the arrival of manager Joe Montemurro to Arsenal, which saw her play more defensively as a fullback. Meanwhile in the Ireland set-up, she plays a more attacking role.
McCabe’s physicality and strength on the pitch makes her not just a solid defender but also a threat going forward. With Ireland playing a more attacking style of football since the arrival of manager Vera Pauw in 2019, McCabe will be crucial in driving the team up the pitch and creating goal-scoring opportunities. Her influence in this Ireland squad certainly relies upon her speed and stamina. As a winger on the left and Heather Payne on the right, both players must be able to drive up the pitch, whilst still linking up with a very compact midfield. McCabe has certainly played a major role in transforming Ireland from a team that would sit back and safely defend, to one that drives forward and takes risks. Her quality from crosses and set pieces are clinical- McCabe’s link-ups with forwards such as Kyra Carusa and Abbie Larkin will certainly be worth watching.
McCabe’s tenacity on the pitch means that defenders can’t take their eyes off her for a second. Her audacious efforts from outside the box are probably her greatest strength. This season, her match-winning strike against Manchester City optimises why she is such a threat from long-range. And it’s not just club, but internationally too. So far, McCabe has netted 17 goals for her country, with plenty more to follow, no doubt. During Ireland’s quest for World Cup qualification, Katie McCabe was her country’s top goal scorer, netting 7 times to help secure their place at the competition. She was named Ireland’s women player of the year, and deservedly so.
Katie McCabe will lead out the Irish on the opening day of the World Cup as they make their debut in the competition against co-hosts Australia, in front of over 80,000 people. She’s a true leader, taking Ireland on a remarkable journey. While her country have already made history in simply qualifying for the tournament, McCabe will be pushing this Ireland team to have a momentous summer and leave a legacy that Ireland will never forget.
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