It’s never is easy to select one from such a group of Irish sporting talent, but few in the room at Dublin’s Shelbourne hotel could dispute the overall influence and excellence that Ireland captain Katie McCabe has had on Irish sport this year as she was crowned The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2023.
Not only did McCabe, who has been capped 79 times for her country, help drive Ireland towards their first World Cup finals, but she has been an outstanding standard-setter within the Irish team and with her club, Arsenal.
Qualification earned McCabe the honour of being the first to captain Ireland at the Women’s World Cup, and she would go on to be the first Irish woman to score a goal at the tournament.
For her own individual performances in Australia, combined with her club form all year, McCabe was judged more than deserving of a place on the celebrated roll of honour, where she stands alongside previous winners such as Olympic champions Kellie Harrington and Katie Taylor, GAA stars Briege Corkery and Rena Buckley and Aintree Grand National winner Rachael Blackmore.
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“I’m so proud and honoured to be able to lead the team to our first ever major tournament,” said McCabe at the time.
“For us it was about creating history getting here, but it’s also about leaving a legacy behind as well. I want young girls and young boys in Ireland to dream and look up to us, because it could be them one day sitting here, playing and representing their country.”
Far from resting on her laurels, McCabe recently indicated she is looking towards the future for Ireland and what might be achieved, rather than looking back.
“We are trying to develop a different philosophy of playing,” she said. “We want to be brave and not sit back. It’s going to be a really massive 2024 and we need to be prepared for the step up in quality.”
[ Sportswoman of the Year preview: A look back on a year in sportOpens in new window ]
Even before Qatar’s World Cup, McCabe was in the judges’ eyeline after another excellent campaign for her club, during which champions Chelsea made what was described as a “substantial” bid to buy her. Arsenal firmly closed that door.
A measure of her form was her inclusion in the Champions League team at the end of last season – the only player who didn’t reach the final to make the 11. Winners Barcelona had six players and runners-up Wolfsburg had four players selected. In June, McCabe was also named Arsenal’s Player of the Season and picked up the WSL goal of the season award for her stinger against Manchester City in April.
But as much as with her individual contributions, it was McCabe’s team performances that caught the eye, sweeping up field from defensive positions and driving the team forward. Of course, her sweetly curved corner kick against Canada a few weeks ago that found the far corner of the net would have decorated any Champions League or World Cup final.
Unable to be at the ceremony in person, her sister Vanessa accepted the award from Minister for Sport Catherine Martin on her behalf.
In a video message, McCabe said: “Sorry I couldn’t be with you but I’m actually on a break for the first time in God knows how long, so big apologies for that. What a special year this was. I’d like to thank my team-mates for club and country and all the staff who’ve helped me along the way. I wouldn’t be here without them.
“And a special thank you to The Irish Times for selecting me as this year’s winner. It’s an absolute honour to be even mentioned among so many inspirational Irish sportswomen, so this one really, really means a lot. Thank you so much and hope you have a great Christmas.”
In the 20th year of the award, which stretches back to horse racing winner Cathy Gannon in 2004, the Sports Editor of The Irish Times, Noel O’Reilly, paid tribute to all the 2023 winners.
“With every passing year, the bar keeps being raised with soaring new standards set by Irish sportswomen for those who will come after them,” he said. “The past 12 months have been no different, with inspirational performances and unprecedented achievements across the board. It’s been an honour for The Irish Times to follow their journeys through 2023, and we look forward to savouring their achievements in the years to come.”
The Minister commented: “Over the past year we have witnessed some remarkable successes in a wide range of sports with our sportswomen making history and breaking records on a regular basis.
“Their commitment to their sport and their determination to succeed is so inspiring for young girls all over the country. I want to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients and acknowledge their enormous contribution to Irish sport.”
The Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award went to former rugby player Fiona Coghlan, who captained Ireland to the Grand Slam and the country’s first women’s Six Nations Championship in 2013, where Ireland beat England for the first time. The team went on to beat the New Zealand Ferns for the first time at the World Cup in France the following year. Ireland qualified for the semi-finals of that tournament, their best result, with Coghlan retiring shortly afterwards, after collecting 85 caps for her country.
Monthly Award Winners
December 2022: Eilish and Róisín Flanagan (Athletics)
January: Rhasidat Adeleke (Athletics)
February: Orla Prendergast (Cricket)
March: Rachael Blackmore (Horse Racing)
April: Thammy Nguyen (Weightlifting)
May: Lucy Mulhall (Rugby)
June: Leona Maguire (Golf)
July: Katie McCabe (Soccer)
August: Katie-George Dunlevy (Cycling) and Hannah Tyrrell (Gaelic football)
September: Ciara Mageean (Athletics) and Siobhán McCrohan (Rowing)
October: Mona McSharry (Swimming)
November: Katie Taylor (Boxing)
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