Eoin Harrington reporting from Tallaght Stadium
There were plenty of strong showings in the Ireland team as they (eventually) cruised to a 5-1 win over Albania on Friday night but, in all truth, it was the Katie McCabe show in Tallaght.
McCabe arrived to this camp in blistering form at club level, and went above and beyond her exploits with Arsenal on a memorable night under the floodlights.
A hat-trick and two assists exemplified what has brought McCabe to being the first female Irish player - and the first Irish player in 23 years - to be nominated for the Ballon d'Or.
The awards ceremony will take place in Paris on Monday, and it has long been known that McCabe will be unable to attend due to her commitments with the Ireland WNT - but she revealed to Balls.ie and the Irish press immediately after full-time on Friday that she may not even be able to watch the ceremony from Albania:
Nah, I've training on Monday! It's matchday minus one, so I think we've got an evening session in Albania.
I might stick it on if I'm able to, but my full focus will be on preparing for Albania on Tuesday.
Like I said, I know it's a real honour to be nominated for these awards, up with some of the best in the world. It's a massive honour for me personally, but I wouldn't be able to do it without the support of my teammates here from the Republic of Ireland and Arsenal as well.
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Katie McCabe plays down sensational hat-trick showing v Albania
Katie McCabe was named in the Champions League team of the season for her exploits with Arsenal last year and that, combined with her consistently electric form at international level, has seen her named on the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.
Fans in Tallaght Stadium on Friday night were treated to a glimpse of just what makes McCabe such a special player, as she contributed three goals - a close-range finish, long-range drive, and a tidy free-kick - as well as two assists for Kyra Carusa, as Ireland kicked on to victory in the second-half.
27 October 2023; Albania goalkeeper Viona Rexhepi concedes her side's fifth goal, scored by Katie McCabe of Republic of Ireland, during the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Albania at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
McCabe played visibly higher up the pitch than we have been accustomed to seeing her play, and said that she had enjoyed the opportunity to push up into more attacking areas:
It was a really nice team performance. We weren't too happy with the first-half and how we performed at times, so we looked to put it right at half-time, and make sure we were coming out with a lot more energy.
With that, we created more goalscoring opportunities. I played a little bit higher up today so, anytime I was able to get a shot I tried to take it.
I enjoyed it [playing higher]. Obviously Izzy came in on the left wingback role. She's got a fantastic left foot and she's been doing really well at West Ham. She's been training really well, so the manager obviously put her in.
It was up to me to stay high and try to be a nuisance up there at times. As I said, I'll play anywhere for the team - hopefully I'll not be in defence on Tuesday! But, yeah, I just try to give it my best wherever I am on the pitch.
The change in position for McCabe certainly paid dividends in the full-time result, but it was not the only change for the Arsenal star.
McCabe handed over the captain's armband to Ireland's newest centurion Diane Caldwell, who marked her 100th cap in style with victory in front of family and friends on Friday night.
27 October 2023; Katie McCabe waits for Republic of Ireland teammate Diane Caldwell to join the Republic of Ireland team photograph before the UEFA Women's Nations League B match between Republic of Ireland and Albania at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
As many of her teammates did, McCabe paid tribute to Caldwell for her work ethic across her entire career, and said it had been an honour to hand her the captain's armband on a special night:
I think it's fantastic. The dedication and work ethic Diane has given to Irish women's football her whole career has been fantastic.
To reach 100 appearances for your country isn't easy. It just goes to show, for herself and for her family, what it means. It's an honour for me to be able to pass over the captaincy tonight to her. I was happy to get a win for her as well.
Diane's a fantastic player, a fantastic person. We're all so happy for her.
Katie McCabe and Ireland are in action again on Tuesday evening, when they face Albania at 5pm Irish time in the return leg of this Nations League tie. Victory would all but assure Ireland of top spot and promotion to Nations League A.
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