Katie McCabe gives verdict on her 'proudest moment' for Ireland as ...

KATIE McCABE has been having the year of her career for both club and country.

For Arsenal, the Dubliner inspired them to the Champions League semi-finals and was named in the Team of the Year.

Her form saw her win the WSL Goal of the Year and was named Arsenal Player of the year.

Then there is the Republic of Ireland, whom she captained with esteem at their first-ever World Cup, scoring their first goal directly from a corner against Canada.

McCabe's fortunes also saw her nominated for the Ballon d'Or, ultimately finishing 22nd.

She ended the year by being nominated for RTE Sportsperson of the Year, an accolade ultimately won by Rhys McClenaghan.

However, she revealed her highlight to be leading the Girls in Green out in front of a record-breaking crowd in their opening World Cup game against Australia.

She told RTE: "It was probably my proudest moment in an Ireland jersey, walking out for that Australia game in front of 81,000.

"My mam, my dad, my brother and my uncle up in the crowd, everyone watching back home, everyone in Sydney, it brings a smile to my face.

"It was such a lovely moment to share with everybody but to share it with those girls in the dressing room beforehand, during it and afterwards, you can't buy that feeling.

"It's just given us more energy to go on and do more and that's what we're trying to do with the Nations League and making sure we put ourselves in a good position to try and qualify for the Euros in 2025."

There was a changing of the guard after the World Cup, with Vera Pauw exiting as manager and succeeded by Eileen Gleeson on an interim basis.

The inaugural UEFA Nations League followed, and it was a perfect one for the Girls in Green.

Six wins from six, 20 goals scored, two conceded, and promotion to League A made for a flawless run in the competition.

McCabe scored five goals - joint most alongside Kyra Carusa - and six assists.

And Gleeson has been rewarded for her role in it by being appointed as the new permanent Ireland head coach.

Having initially ruled out interest in her job back in September, she reversed her position in October.

And following her appointment, the 51-year-old said: “For me, there is nothing greater than being Irish.

"To have the opportunity to lead my country on the highest stage internationally and be entrusted with the responsibility of maximising the potential of this exciting team and future Ireland players is the proudest and most humbling moment of my life to date. 

“Fresh from the experience of working with our fantastic players and staff during our recent UEFA Nations League campaign, and seeing all of our talented young players at underage level, there is huge potential for us to build on and to ensure consistent regular qualification for and progression in major tournaments. 

“This is an extremely exciting time for Irish Women’s Football. I am truly honoured and privileged to be involved.

"I look forward to an exciting and busy 2024 on the road to qualification for the UEFA Women’s European Championships in 2025.”