Ireland's veteran centre-half Niamh Fahey announces her retirement from international football after a 17-year career capped by Ireland's historic participation in the 2023 World Cup.
Veteran centre-half Niamh Fahey says she will never forget her World Cup adventure - as she calls time on her 115-cap Ireland career. The 37-year-old Galway native made the announcement on Thursday, just over five weeks after Ireland ’s Euro 2025 play-off defeat to Wales. Fahey’s international career spanned almost 18 years, from her debut in March 2007 against Portugal to her final appearance in the Aviva Stadium reversal against Wales last month.
It included three starts at the 2023 World Cup in Australia - Ireland’s first ever appearance in a major tournament. The Liverpool defender, reflecting on her career, said: “There are so many things over the years that we have accomplished as a national team, but obviously the highlight being the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. “Our first ever tournament and representing our country in a World Cup, I don’t think it comes much bigger than that.” As for what she will miss, Fahey added: “There are so many things. Singing Amhrán na bhFiann before a game is probably the biggest thing I’ll miss. “I’ll miss all the girls massively but as a country and as a national team we are in a very good place. “I am very proud of what my journey is and I am satisfied with my journey and the effort and the years that I have put into playing for my country.” A former Galway Gaelic footballer, Fahey represented Ireland at Under-15, 16, 17 and 19 levels, before rising to the senior side, where she eventually became Ireland’s fifth most capped player. A three-time winner of the FAI Senior Women's International Player of the Year, she scored her only goal in a green jersey in a 2023 World Cup qualifier away to Georgia. She said: “It’s been a massive privilege to wear the green jersey for the amount of years that I have, and although I’m sad to say goodbye I feel so honoured to have been able to have put on that jersey for as many times as I have managed. “It’s always been a huge sense of pride and motivation for me to be able to play and compete for Ireland on the international stage.” Fahey also paid tribute to her family, and to mum Marjorie and dad Richard
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