Katie McCabe's Unforgettable Journey: A Pictorial Retrospective on her Remarkable Republic of Ireland Career

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe reflects on her international career so far in pictures, ahead of their first Women's World Cup game on Thursday.

Picture One: 15-year-old McCabe preparing for U19 Euros

Looking at a picture of a 15-year-old Katie McCabe, the Ireland captain's face lights up with a smile.

"It evokes pleasant memories. I recall that photoshoot occurred prior to our U19 Euro qualification, and we successfully proceeded from the group stage. Unfortunately, I sustained a leg injury towards the end and was unable to participate in the final game," she shared.

McCabe first crossed paths with her future Arsenal teammate, Vivianne Miedema, at the Euro U19 championships.

Recalling their initial encounters, McCabe remarked, "At the time, I was unfamiliar with her; she was simply known to me as the player who scored a hat-trick in the semi-final, eliminating us from the tournament! I always tease her about that."

Picture Two: Republic of Ireland's youngest ever captain

At the age of 21, McCabe was appointed as the youngest captain of the Republic of Ireland, leaving her surprised by the unexpected call from manager Colin Bell. Reflecting on the moment, she admitted thinking that she was in trouble due to her young and vibrant personality, wondering what she had done wrong.

When Bell approached McCabe to replace the retired Emma Byrne as the captain of Ireland, McCabe initially perceived it as a joke. She expressed her disbelief, stating, "I was left speechless and didn't give it a second thought. Without hesitation, I responded affirmatively, considering it an immense honor." Reflecting on the occasion, McCabe fondly remembers feeling an overwhelming sense of pride despite her youth.

I have always had a certain level of confidence within me, knowing that I could handle challenges like this. It was quite tough in the beginning, especially considering my young age. It is easy to lose oneself in such situations, but I owe my success to the support of experienced individuals around me.

Not long after taking on the role of captain, McCabe proudly led her younger sister, the talented football player Lauryn, onto the field at Tallaght Stadium.

"Being the captain and leading the girls out remains one of the things I am most proud of to this day. It was an extraordinary moment. Lauryn, who is 15, recently made an appearance on the bench for Shamrock Rovers' first team in Dublin. McCabe expressed her hopes, saying, 'Wouldn't it be incredibly special if the both of us could represent Ireland?'"

Picture Three: 'That was heartbreak'

Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2022 after a 1-0 defeat to Ukraine, placing third in their group and finishing two points behind Ukraine. McCabe expressed disappointment, stating, "It was heartbreaking as we were on the verge of success. I regret missing the penalty in that match."

A defensive error involving Everton goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan and Shamrock Rovers' Aine O'Gorman resulted in Ireland conceding an own goal.

McCabe expressed his thoughts, saying, "Aine has been a crucial member of our squad, even prior to my arrival. It devastated me to see this happen to her, and I felt immense sadness for the entire team."

Picture Four: McCabe captains ROI to World Cup qualification

We recall the pain we experienced, and it undeniably forged a stronger bond among us as a team during those challenging times. This adversity ignites a fierce determination within us as we gear up for the forthcoming qualification, which happens to be the World Cup.

From the heartache of not qualifying for the Euros, the Republic of Ireland channelled that pain and qualified for their first major tournament - the 2023 World Cup.

Amber Barrett made history by scoring the decisive goal in the 72nd minute as the Republic of Ireland clinched a 1-0 victory over Scotland.

McCabe described the moment as a liberating experience, filled with pure joy and happiness. It felt like she was transported to another dimension.

Picture Five: Republic of Ireland celebrate

"Me - front of centre of the party as always!"

The Republic of Ireland begin their World Cup campaign against co-hosts Australia on July 20 at a sold-out Stadium Australia.

The venue was changed because of the high demand for tickets, and McCabe will lead the Girls in Green out in front of 80,000 fans.

"We have all taken different paths, but we all share the same goal," she said.

What is the World Cup schedule?

The group stage is scheduled to commence on July 20th and will span a duration of two weeks, culminating on August 3rd. During this time, the top-performing teams from each group, as well as the runners-up, will advance to the exhilarating round of 16. Marked on the calendar from August 5th to August 8th, this stage promises to be highly competitive and filled with thrilling battles.

The quarter-finals are set to take place on August 11 and 12 in Wellington, Auckland, Brisbane, and Sydney. Following the quarter-finals, the first semi-final is scheduled for August 15 in Auckland, while the second semi-final will be held on August 16 at the Accor Stadium in Sydney. The final match will then be held at the Accor Stadium in Sydney on August 20.

A third-place play-off will be played the day before the final on August 19 in Brisbane.