‘Kilnamangh Kid’ Katie McCabe is in contention to be crowned THE woman of world football.
The Tallaght native made history by becoming the first Irish woman to be nominated for the Ballon D‘Or.
The nomination is reward for the Arsenal star’s outstanding season for both club and country and she takes her rightful place among the best footballers in the World.
McCabe became the first person to captain an Irish team at a Women’s World Cup and the first Irish female to score on the biggest stage of all when she converted a corner in Australia.
The 27-year-old was also influential for an Arsenal side that made the latter stages of the Champions League and won WSL Goal of the Season for her stunner against Manchester City.
“It’s a first for an Irish women’s player so it’s a really nice accolade on a personal level but you can never achieve those things without your team-mates,” she commented when speaking to Arseblog.
“For me it is always about the team and how we compete and win trophies together, that is why I play a team sport. I love picking up trophies with my team-mates but it is always nice to be nominated for a Ballon D’Or – though I think it’s the first time I have said that!”
Ireland’s youngest-ever captain is the first Irish player to be nominated since Roy Keane received his second nod in 2000.
The versatile Irish captain joins the likes of John Giles, David O’Leary, Frank Stapleton as well as four-time nominees Liam Brady and Paul McGrath on the list of Dubliners nominated for the massively prestigious award.
To lift the Golden Ball McCabe would have to get more votes than some huge names in women’s football including firm favourite Aitana Bonmati, who led Spain to World Cup glory and Barcelona to Champions League success as well as the likes of Millie Bright , Linda Caicedo and Kadidiatou Diani.
Katie McCabe is tackled by Adriana Leon of Canada during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 at Perth Rectangular Stadium in Australia. Photo: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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