It was a night to remember for Diane Caldwell in Tallaght Stadium, as she led Ireland out as captain on the occasion of her 100th cap for her country.
For Ireland as a whole, it was an impressive night. They would romp to a 5-1 victory over Albania to seal control of their Nations League Group, after a shaky start subsided into a dominant second-half display.
The star of the show was undoubtedly Katie McCabe, a hat-trick hero for the second time in her Ireland career, but much of the pre-match pageantry revolved around Ireland's newest centurion.
Speaking to Balls.ie and the Irish media immediately after full-time, Caldwell said that it was almost "overwhelming" to think back on just how much Irish football had changed since the beginning of her international career:
It’s overwhelming, but uplifting at the same time. You’ve been there through the whole journey, and the development of the women’s game as a whole. It’s something I’m really proud of - what this team has achieved on and off the pitch.
There’s not another team that I would prefer to go out in battle with. They’re a great bunch of girls and they always have been throughout the years.
I remember watching Ciara Grant and Emma Byrne being presented with their 100th cap way back when, thinking to myself, ‘wow, will I ever get to that number? That just seems so far away…’
Here I am! I’m very grateful.
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Diane Caldwell says presence of family made 100th cap even more special
Diane Caldwell was not only given the captain's armband for Friday night's Nations League game against Albania, but was presented with a gold cap to recognise her reaching a century of games for Ireland.
27 October 2023; Republic of Ireland captain Diane Caldwell is presented with a gold cap on the occasion of her 100th Republic of Ireland cap by FAI President Gerry McAnaney before the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Albania at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Caldwell's two mascots at the beginning of the game were her niece and nephew, and her immediate and extended family were all in attendance to mark the special day.
The 35-year-old centre back said that having all of her family with her in Tallaght Stadium had only made the occasion more special:
It was a lovely gesture from Katie to give me the armband for the occasion. Luckily, it was a home game - talking with the girls, a lot of their 100th caps had fallen on an away game.
That was extra special, to be at home in Tallaght in front of all of our fans, and to have my family there. I don’t know if you noticed, but my niece and nephew came out with me as well. It was really a beautiful occasion.
All of the ballkids around the pitch in Tallaght on Friday also came from Caldwell's home club of Balbriggan, a lovely gesture on a special night for the FC Zurich defender.
27 October 2023; Republic of Ireland captain Diane Caldwell with ballkids from Balbriggan FC after the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Albania at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Like many of her teammates and manager Eileen Gleeson, Caldwell was frustrated by the sloppy goal Ireland conceded in the opening stages of Friday's game, saying that she was unhappy that Albania had been let in so easily moments after Katie McCabe had put Ireland ahead.
But, overall, there are more positives than negatives for Ireland, and they go into the second game with Albania with the opportunity to secure first place in the group, and promotion to Nations League A.
With that promotion would come added opportunity to qualify for EURO 2025, what would be a second major international tournament for the Ireland women's team.
When reflecting on her 100 caps for Ireland, Caldwell says that the night on which qualification was secured for Australia is undoubtedly the highlight thus far - but that Friday night in Tallaght will also always hold a special place in her heart:
It's really up there [the 100th cap], it's a very special, monumental occasion.
But the best for me is Hampden Park, and that qualification for our first ever tournament. That will be forever the best night of my life.
But this is obviously a very special occasion for my family and for everyone in Balbriggan associated with my journey to get there.
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