Ireland veteran Niamh Fahey announced her retirement from international football on Thursday afternoon after a 17-year career in the green jersey.
Fahey made the announcement in a video shared to the FAI's social media channels, talking through her decision to step away from the national team at the age of 37.
A message from Niamh Fahey…
17 years, 115 international caps, and a journey filled with treasured memories 🥹☘️
Thanks for everything you’ve accomplished in Green, Fahey! 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/V0nN8zDiNV— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) January 9, 2025
Fahey made her debut for Ireland almost 18 years ago against Portugal, and she has won a further 116 caps in the years since. At the time of her retirement, only four players have won more caps for the Ireland women's team than Fahey, who started every game of the historic World Cup campaign in Australia.
Later on Thursday afternoon, Fahey shared a statement to her own Instagram account.
In her post, the Liverpool centre-back thanked Ireland fans for their support over her 17 years representing her country. Fahey pinpointed the World Cup qualification as the highlight of her Ireland career.
Fahey said:
After 17 years in green, from my debut to cap 115 for the Ireland Women’s National Team, I have been on a journey beyond expectation and it has been a huge source of immense motivation, privilege, pride and honour.
A sincere thank you to all the people who have been on the journey with me and helped me in so many aspects; friends, neighbours, teachers, coaches, colleagues, managers, team-mates, fans and many more! Your support, investment, passion and belief has pushed and inspired me in every way possible.
To my family, who have been a core support and sounding board throughout, I would not have achieved what I have without you. I can’t thank you enough for everything, especially my parents Marjorie and Richard.
There have been countless highs and lows, but the feeling of elation and satisfaction en route to qualifying and representing our country on the world stage at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 will live long in the memory.
I look forward to watching and supporting the team and the future generations to come in what will only be the continuation of more memorable moments at the highest level for our Women’s National Team.
Go raibh míle maith agat. ☘️
Tributes have poured in from Fahey's Ireland teammates and legends of both the women's and men's national teams.
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Niamh Fahey announces retirement from international football
31 July 2023; Niamh Fahey of Republic of Ireland during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Group B match between Republic of Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Ireland captain Katie McCabe was among the first to comment on Niamh Fahey's retirement post, simply saying, "Irish legend," and plenty of her international teammates soon joined the chorus.
Messages also came from Jamie Finn, Chloe Mustaki, Tyler Toland, Hayley Nolan, Niamh Farrelly, Caitlin Hayes, and Lily Agg among others.
Particularly heartfelt messages came from Fahey's teammates Courtney Brosnan and Kyra Carusa, and former Ireland internationals Emma Byrne and Stephanie Roche.
A selection of comments posted on Niamh Fahey's retirement statement on Instagram
Ruesha Littlejohn also shared a heartfelt message to her long-time teammate on her Instagram story.
"Grandfather, one of the best," wrote Littlejohn, "They don't make em like this anymore! What a journey and some absolute giggles along the way. I'll see you down that Woolloongabba river."
The current Ireland men's assistant coach John O'Shea also shared a message in the comments of Fahey's post, saying, "Great dedication to Ireland Niamh, congratulations on a brilliant international career."
It will certainly be strange to see Ireland without Niamh Fahey, who has been a staple of the squad for almost 18 years. The esteem she is held in by her fellow players is plain to see from the outpouring of emotion on Thursday afternoon.
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