Niamh Fahey shocked Arsenal let Katie McCabe leave
Michael Bolton
After 115 caps for Ireland, and spells with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool, Niamh Fahey called time on her footballing career in 2025.
One of the greatest players for her country, the Galway woman did not stay away from the sport for very long, as she was appointed as technical co-ordinator for Liverpool, where she finished her playing career after making over 100 appearances.
It was a challenging season for the club, with only four wins after finishing second from bottom, as Fahey praised the impact of Ireland midfielder Denise O'Sullivan, who joined the club in January.
"I was absolutely delighted when we got the chance to bring her over.
"At that moment, we were bottom of the table and lacking some leadership and the quality of Denise to come in and raise the standards and bring some energy and experience around the place.
"She is such a good professional. We were lucky to get her giving the clubs that were after her."
For so long, the Irish women, the presence of Niamh Fahey was almost a given.
With sport being such a big part of her life for so long, not stepping out on the pitch every day has been a change, but one the former Ireland defender is embracing.
"I think there is moments where I just missed competing.
"I have a newfound appreciation for the nine-to-five, although that doesn't exist behind the scenes in sport. Getting used to that side of things has been a transition.
"It is nice to still be around football and working in football. You feel part of it, but in another sense, you miss that part of competition. Days out in Anfield, you always miss it in those days."
The final two World Cup qualification games for the Ireland women will be the focus in June, as hosting the Netherlands and a trip to France will be the tasks for Carla Ward's side.
Narrow defeats to those sides got the campaign underway, with back-to-back wins against Poland helping Ireland to a more favourable play-off position.
Fahey has been impressed by the players who have stepped up in recent months for Ward's side, and believes they are on the right track.
"I feel like there is a lot of belief within the team. Carla Ward has done a really good job of making her players feel confident.
"We have got a few new additions in Emily Murphy, Marissa Sheva has really stepped up, and Caitlin Hayes is doing well. I think it is really exciting in the next two games to see if we can cement second or third spot.
Qualification for next summer would be a big plus for us."
One player who will be moving clubs in the summer is captain Katie McCabe, who has confirmed she is leaving Arsenal this summer.
With over 300 appearances for Arsenal and the Champions League among the honours she has won, McCabe was a vital player for the Gunners in the last decade.
Showing no sign of slowing down as she was named in the WSL team of the season, Fahey was shocked Arsenal have let her leave the club.
"Honestly, I think it is madness that they are not keeping her.
"There was a bit of back and forth between the contracts, and then in the last minute a U-turn. Given how well she has performed all season and the leadership, it is a big miss for them.
"For Katie, she is going to to on and be her brilliant self. What a 10 years she has had at Arsenal."
Before making her impact in an Ireland jersey, Fahey was playing her trade in the Galway colours.
Part of the last side to win the All-Ireland in 2004, the former Liverpool defender says she would not have believed at the time they would still be waiting for another title today.
"I thought we were going to win the one in 2005, but then Cork came and blew everyone out of the park for the next few years; that was generational from that team.
"Two finals since then, and not our best displays. I am hoping that this is the year that Galway finally brings back Brendan Martin.
"I was also keeping an eye on it. We have a really tight group and meet up regularly with that 2004 team. We are really good friends, that is the love of Gaelic football, those bonds that endure throughout the years no matter what direction you go in."
