Katie McCabe: Ireland captain and Arsenal’s player of the season in profile

Captain of the Irish nationwide workforce since the age of 21, Arsenal’s Katie McCabe has the honour of main her workforce out at their first main championship at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. The versatile left-sided player has been ever-present for her membership and nation in latest years and will likely be the fulcrum of Ireland’s bid to drag off an almighty shock this summer season.

Born in Kilnamanagh, southern Dublin, and one of ten siblings, McCabe started her footballing journey taking part in in boys’ youth groups for Kilnamanagh and Crumlin earlier than becoming a member of her first all-girls workforce at aged ten.

At 16, she joined Raheny United as half of the newly-formed Women’s National League in Ireland, hitting the floor operating with two league titles and three cup victories in her first three years.

Having seen a soccer scholarship to Florida State University break down after a devastating leg break, the full-back continued to ply her commerce in the Irish league for an additional two seasons all whereas dwelling at residence along with her dad and mom and working throughout the week at Nandos.

In 2015, McCabe would get her huge transfer, turning down a number of different affords to hitch Arsenal in the Women’s Super League. After struggling in her first yr, McCabe spent a yr on mortgage in Scotland however returned to the north London aspect the following season, changing into an important cog in the aspect as the workforce received the WSL title.

In complete, she has performed 119 instances for the membership, scoring 19 instances. In the 2022/23 season, McCabe loved one of her greatest years at the membership, capturing the Player of the Season award, a spot in the Champions League workforce of the season, and workforce silverware with victory in the Conti Cup.

McCabe has 75 caps for her nation, scoring 19 instances. Having made her debut again in 2015, she was named captain by former head coach, Colin Bell in 2017 changing into the youngest in the workforce’s historical past.