Republic of Ireland players will be in Lisbon to support Arsenal’s Katie McCabe in the Champions League final before their Nations League campaign begins.
Arsenal home kit 25/26
via Arsenal.com
Katie McCabe will have plenty of support in the stands when Arsenal face Barcelona in the Champions League final this Saturday. A group of her Republic of Ireland team-mates are flying to Lisbon to back their captain before the national team’s upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Ireland manager Carla Ward has allowed McCabe to delay joining the squad in Istanbul, where they’ll prepare for their match against Turkey next Friday.
She’s hopeful McCabe arrives with a medal.
TALLAGHT, IRELAND - FEBRUARY 21: Carla Ward, Head Coach of Republic of Ireland gestures during the UEFA Women's Nations League 2024/25 Grp B2 MD1 match between Republic of Ireland and Türkiye at Tallaght Stadium on February 21, 2025 in Tallaght, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images
“There’s a flight out of Lisbon to Turkey, they’ll arrive at the same time as everybody else does on Sunday,” Ward said.
“There’s a large group of players going to watch. I think Katie will be returning maybe two or three days late. Let’s hope that they do the job and she comes in with a nice medal which will hopefully put her in a good position to then help us with these two games.
“No matter what, it’s an unbelievable achievement to get to where they’ve got to. We wish her well.”
DECINES-CHARPIEU, FRANCE - APRIL 27: Mariona Caldentey of Arsenal celebrates scoring her team's second goal with team mate Katie McCabe during the UEFA Women's Champions League semifinal second leg match between Olympique Lyonnais and Arsenal WFC at OL Stadium on April 27, 2025 in Decines-Charpieu, France. (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images
McCabe is aiming to become just the fourth Irishwoman to win the Champions League. Her role at Arsenal has grown this season, and she heads into Saturday’s final in strong form.
Ireland will be without Heather Payne, Leanne Kiernan, Jess Ziu, Lily Agg, and others. Erin Healy, who scored eight goals in Australia’s A-League for Adelaide, comes into the squad for the first time. She qualifies through her grandfather from Monaghan.
“She has been tracked for some time by the FAI and somebody who has had an exciting season,” said Ward. “She is soon to be European-based this summer and that will help, for sure.”
Former Arsenal defender Louise Quinn has also been included and is expected to retire at the end of the season. Ward said the 34-year-old will need to earn her place on the pitch for one last game.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 29: Louise Quinn of Arsenal battles for possession with Bethany England of Chelsea during the FA Women's Continental League Cup Final Chelsea FC Women and Arsenal FC Women at City Ground on February 29, 2020 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images
“She’s made it very, very clear that she’s fit, she’s firing,” said Ward. “I’ve had her Birmingham manager on to me, telling me the same thing.”
Before all that, the squad will be in Lisbon, backing their captain.
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