For someone with a Champions League medal around her neck, Katie McCabe still has a sense of her original place.
Arsenal’s triumph is ending an 18-year wait for Europe’s prize trophy had the Irish captain front and centre, the left-back playing the most minutes of any player in the competition.
She became as famous for her celebrations back in London as the performance she delivered to help dethrone Barcelona in the May final in Lisbon.
McCabe was excused for Ireland’s subsequent transatlantic trip to USA for two friendlies, although she disagrees with the declaration by Carla Ward of her being burnt out.
She was able to witness from her sun-lounger most of her fellow Gunners participate in the Euros, eventually leading to Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly and bolter Michelle Agyemang lifting the trophy against Spain last Sunday.
McCabe is one of the few players back in pre-season at Arsenal, mulling as to where Ireland fits into the international success her peers are rejoicing in.
She dined at the top table of a World Cup two years ago in Australia at Ireland’s first major tournament but, after missing out in the Euros, next up within their sights is the 2027 edition of the global showpiece in Brazil.
Stressing Ireland are immersed in a transition since Ward was appointed in December, concerns exist about the generation seeking to fill the gaps created by a glut of retirements since the sojourn Down Under.
What Ireland lacks compared to England – and even Scotland in recent years – is an U21 or U23 team equipping players with the skillset necessary to migrate into the senior fold.
Finance has been blamed for the FAI’s inability to add the team above their U19 level. Imminent staff cutbacks suggest that won’t change, leaving them reliant on grants from Fifa to fund what’s a vital component to bridging the gap.
“We need to keep doing more,” noted McCabe, back in Dublin yesterday visiting patients at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
“In my opinion, I think that structure between 19s and the senior level is really key, so we don’t continue to lose players.
“Maybe it’s the Gaelic football – maybe they just stop playing – but it’s a big issue for me.
“I think an U21 team would be the end goal. The starting process would be to look at how we function through the four provinces – then structure it into a development squad, home-based training session, where you’ve got the best crop of Irish talent around the country. Let them train together and get exposed to senior level football with the manager. I think that needs looking at.”
In the meantime, there’s a playoff against Belgium on October 24 and 28 to determine which of the nations will contest next year’s World Cup qualifiers in the top tier.
Crucially, it guarantees a playoff route as fallback but Belgium are fresh from the Euros. Although they lost 6-2 against the Spanish, they beat Portugal and came out 1-0 losers in a tight contest against semi-finalists Italy.
McCabe is due to win her 100th cap in the second leg held in Leuven, just outside Brussels.
Putting Ireland in a stronger position for a second successive World Cup on the occasion of her personal milestone is of equal importance.
“Belgium are a serious, serious team,” warned the 29-year-old. “I was watching them in the Euros over the summer and it’s going to be difficult.
“This is a massive tie so we want the Aviva absolutely rocking on that Friday night.
“Even if people are fans of the men’s game but are football fans, we’d love for you to come and support us.”
Meanwhile, McCabe’s former Arsenal teammate and current goalkeeping coach with Ireland, Emma Byrne, has been appointed as manager of English third-tier club Lewes.
Lewes operate in the FA Women’s National League South, a tier below the Women’s Super League 2. They confirmed Ireland’s record caps holder will combine her new role with her FAI duties.
“Emma will continue her role with the FAI and the Ireland women’s national team, and we are proud to support her in balancing her dual responsibilities,” they said.
“Her presence at Lewes reflects the club’s ambition to connect domestic development with the international game.”
