Katie McCabe looks back with pride on year of firsts

As end-of-year retrospectives go, there aren't too many that will contain a list of firsts as long as Katie McCabe's.

The Arsenal star became the first Republic of Ireland skipper to lead her country out at a FIFA Women's World Cup before notching the team's one and only goal Down Under in the second game against Canada.

The nature of that strike, direct from a corner kick, brought increased international interest in a footballer whose star had already been on the rise in this part of the world for some time.

Throw in a Women's Super League Goal of the Season award, a Ballon d'Or nomination and a place in the Women's Champions League Team of the Season, and McCabe could boast an entire selection box worth of proud moments to look back on this Christmas.

However, it's the adventure she shared with her teammates at the World Cup in Australia that brings about that winning smile more than any other moment throughout the year.

"It was probably my proudest moment in an Ireland jersey, walking out for that Australia game in front of 81,000," McCabe told RTÉ Sport as she reflected on her golden year.

"My mam, my dad, my brother and my uncle up in the crowd, everyone watching back home, everyone in Sydney, it brings a smile to my face. It was such a lovely moment to share with everybody but to share it with those girls in the dressing room beforehand, during it and afterwards, you can't buy that feeling.

"It's just given us more energy to go on and do more and that's what we're trying to do with the Nations League and making sure we're put ourselves in a good position to try and qualify for the Euros in 2025."

That historic meeting with the hosts eventually ended in a 1-0 defeat for Ireland, a result which was followed up by a 2-1 loss