MY ACCOUNT
Katie McCabe is facing the biggest few months of her life as major tests come thick and fast for both club and country.
The Arsenal star is part of a team that are fighting for the Women’s Super League title and are also through to the semi-finals of the Champions League, having already lifted the League Cup earlier this season.
Then in the summer, the 27-year-old will captain her beloved Republic of Ireland at the World Cup, where they will face co-hosts Australia in the tournament’s opening game.
Ahead of the first-leg of Arsenal’s European tie with Wolfsburg this afternoon, we take a look at McCabe’s career journey at a time when it looks poised to hit new heights.
Family inspiration
Growing up, McCabe had the benefit of having an inspirational figure close to home.
One of her ten siblings was Gary McCabe, who made over 300 appearances in the League of Ireland Premier Division.
As a child she frequently played in boys teams. In a recent interview with Arsenal’s website, she revealed how she first became aware of the possibility of playing women’s football.
McCabe said: “I remember my dad put the Women’s FA Cup final on and at the time it was the one game a year that was on TV.
“I think it was on BBC and it was Arsenal playing against Everton. I must have been about 12 at the time.
“I honestly didn’t know women’s football even existed. All I did was watch the Premier League and the Ireland men’s games, but ever since that day I was like, I can do that too.”
Arsenal regular
McCabe began her career in Ireland with Raheny United and then Shelbourne Ladies, before making the move to Arsenal in 2015.
A loan to Glasgow City to gain playing time followed in 2017. Shortly afterwards, she was named as the youngest ever captain of the Republic of Ireland at the age of 21.
At that stage of her career, she was a winger. It was only when McCabe returned to Arsenal that her then manager, Joe Montemurro, converted her to play as a left-back.
The 5ft 5in ace has been a mainstay of the side ever since, regularly scoring and assisting from her defensive position.
McCabe’s attacking prowess was on display in the recent 2-1 victory against title rivals Manchester City, scoring the winner when she took the ball from a short corner and rifled it into the net.
She was suspended for this week’s match against the WSL leaders Manchester United, in which Arsenal lost 1-0.
The Gunners are now third, six points behind United, but still with a game in hand.
Special ending
McCabe will return for Arsenal’s trip to Wolfsburg ahead of the second leg at the Emirates on the upcoming May bank holiday weekend.
If the Gunners can overcome the current Frauen-Bundesliga holders, then they will reach their first Champions League final since winning the competition back in 2007.
With silverware already secured and still fighting on two more fronts, it has already been a successful season in North London — but there is the potential for it to be very special indeed.
Whatever happens, McCabe is set to go into the summer World Cup on a high.
The girl who did not know that women’s football existed is now starring at the very top of it.
