'My best year' - McCabe reflects on historic 2023

After unrelenting rain in Perth on a July evening, the skies had finally cleared as the Republic of Ireland kicked off against Canada.

If you shut your eyes you could almost tell when the talismanic Arsenal full-back was on the pitch as the crescendo of noise would follow her about the pitch.

She set the ball down and looked up. Two small steps back, two strides forward and a swing of her left foot.

There was silence as the ball flew through the Australian night, almost in slow motion. Then, an eruption of euphoria and noise as the ball hit the back of the net.

McCabe had made history. It was the Republic of Ireland's first goal at a World Cup, and it was one to savour.

"I don't think I'll properly reflect on it until I retire," McCabe said when asked to look back on her historic 2023.

For both the Republic and with her club Arsenal, it has been a year to remember.

On the club stage she had helped Arsenal to the League Cup, third in the Women's Super League and Champions League semi-finals, plus a number of personal accolades - including a Ballon d'Or nomination.

But it was with her country that she really shone.

The World Cup was to be a historic moment as the Republic lined out at a major tournament for the first time. To the chants of 'ole, ole, ole' from the Irish support, McCabe led her team out of the tunnel against co-hosts Australia, who edged a 1-0 win.

Then, despite that euphoric moment against Canada, it was a night that would end in tears as the Canadians' fightback condemned the Republic to an early exit from the World Cup.

A draw against Nigeria was a first point on the world stage, but it was bittersweet as the team finished bottom of their group and there was an sour ending when manager Vera Pauw and McCabe appeared to have a public falling out following the game.

However, once the dust settled, the highs from the World Cup will be the moments remembered from a historic summer.

"Personally, it's probably been my best year playing in the green jersey," McCabe said, speaking ahead of the Republic's Nations League win over Northern Ireland in December.

"From the start of the year to the end of the year, with a World Cup in between - it was something I have always dreamed of as a kid.

"I'm very lucky to share those moments with such a special team. We're obviously moving on from the World Cup, starting this new chapter and now our full focus going forward is trying to achieve that with the Euros."

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'Hungry for more'

After the highs of the World Cup, the Republic, now without Pauw after an acrimonious exit weeks after returning to Dublin, won six matches from six in the inaugural Women's Nations League under then interim manager Eileen Gleeson.

Gleeson brought a feel-good factor back around the team and the Nations League started with a 3-0 win over Northern Ireland, the first senior women's match to be played at the Aviva Stadium.

Hungary and Albania were also dispatched, and the campaign ended with a 6-1 derby win over Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, with McCabe scoring the pick of the goals as she drifted onto her 'weaker' right foot and fired into the top corner from 25 yards. It was a stunning way to end a stunning year.

In fact, such had been her goalscoring prowess the 28-year-old ended with five goals, the joint-most with any player in League B alongside team-mate Kyra Carusa and Poland's Ewa Pajor.

McCabe and her team will now be promoted to League A and face Europe's best in the qualifiers.

Despite initially stating she didn't want the job on a permanent basis, Gleeson's stance softened as her she carried out her dream role. With the success of the team and Gleeson's own thoughts evolving, it became a non-brainer to appoint her full-time.

Wins in the Nations League is one thing, but Euro 2025 qualification is the ultimate goal and, for this ambitious Irish team, they will be aiming for knockout football in Switzerland should they get there.

"We've had a taste of it now and we want more for Ireland. 2024 is going to be a massive one as well," McCabe added.

"We want those moments together. I'm really looking forward to moving up and seeing how we get on.

"We'll have to wait and see who we are up against but I am sure it will be an exciting League A."

McCabe ended her international season with a stunning goal in the Republic's win over Northern Ireland in Belfast

Now well on her way to winning 100 caps for her country, McCabe says the success of the current team is helped by remembering the difficult occasions where the team missed out on qualification.

"Success brings expectation and we have certainly worked hard to change that narrative," McCabe added.

"I've been with the team for eight years now and we were always the underdogs, having to fight for those wins. We are now in a position where we can get on a winning streak and qualify for tournaments.

"We want more of that. We have a massive squad that has a lot of talent in it. We're hungry for more.

"We're also very aware of how long it took us to get there and what it took in each of those campaigns. It's important to remember those moments.

"I'm really looking forward to moving up and seeing how we get on. We always want to test ourselves against the best."