Katie McCabe rejects Carla Ward's ‘burnout' assertion while making heartwarming gesture to sick kids
In May, McCabe became only the fourth Irishwoman to
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McCabe brought smiles and inspiration to patients at Crumlin Children's hospital
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Visits from high-profile figures like her shine a national spotlight on the importance of continued support for paediatric healthcare
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Children's Health Foundation supports the vital work of CHI hospitals and urgent care centres
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Ward chose not to bring her on Ireland's two-game tour of the US
There was not too much time to savour the achievement because, six days later, she
In explaining why she would not travel to the States for two friendly games against the USA at the end of June, Carla Ward
McCabe said: 'I wasn't on the verge of burnout. I could have played three days later. I just chose to enjoy the break. It wasn't necessary for me to travel to the USA.
'But I feel great. I feel good. I was happy in the decision I took. I was supported by Carla. It was nice to be able to switch off and refocus, reset and recharge the batteries.
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'For me to wake up and not have any structure and do what I feel is necessary for me was really nice. I think about two weeks into it, I wanted to get back down.
'It was tough being away from the girls in the USA. I felt like when I came round to the camp, I needed to switch off.
"It was hard to do that. You want the girls to do well. It was a well-needed break, but I'm ready to go now for the new season.'
Top of the list club-wise is trying to help the Gunners retain their European crown, with McCabe - who showed off her medal in Crumlin's Children Hospital - thrilled with their win in Lisbon.
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It saw her realise her long-held dream of following in the footsteps of Yvonne Tracy, Ciara Grant and Emma Byrne.
She said: 'I've always, since I was young, aspired to be like Yvonne, Ciara and Emma.
Lionel Messi unboxes his Epic X Tourbillon FC Barcelona watch
'I see that photo of them with the tricolour around their back and the Champions League trophy in their hand. And when we won, I went and found the tricolour as well because I was like, 'I want a photo like that'.
'For me, it's important to have the flag with me to show young girls in Ireland how proud I am to be Irish, just to kind of hold that with me, I suppose.'
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The flag was not all she had wrapped around her with Byrne - part of the Arsenal side crowned European champions in 2007 - pitchside to welcome her into the elite club.
She said: 'Someone captured me just jumping in her arms. Emma Byrne has been a special part of my career.
'She's someone I looked up to, growing up as a kid when she was representing Ireland and Arsenal and for me to then sign for Arsenal and start breaking into the Ireland team, I always wanted to learn from her because I respected her so much.
'I still do. I value her opinion very highly and the experience she has in the game, what she's won.
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'I'm just delighted I get to work with Ireland still. I love that she's involved. I think I can speak on behalf of the team when I tell you how respected she is.
"She's a fantastic person and I was just delighted to see her and embrace the hug I suppose.'
FAST FOR-WARD
As well as that shared moment of celebration, followed the mutual disappointment of the finals of the European Championships coming around with Ireland not in it, as a result of their
That cost Eileen Gleeson her job and it has been a mixed bag under Ward since.
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Ireland have won five of her eight games in charge but the other three have all ended in 4-0 defeats, once to Slovenia and twice to the US.
McCabe suggested Ireland were still in transition under the Englishwoman's watch but that improvement needed to be seen for the
She explained: 'I think when you've got a new coach, it takes time. We've seen that in the past, under Vera Pauw and Colin Bell before.
'I think Carla - I don't want to speak on behalf of her - but from our discussions, I'm sure she's seen a lot and learnt a lot about the squad and players individually over the course of the last few months.
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'I think it's really beneficial for her to see that, so we can get a good steer on how we're going to be successful together moving forward because both of our ambitions are to qualify for that World Cup.
'But obviously there's steps you need to take going into that, October is a massive part in that in terms of getting that promotion to League A.'
NOTABLE DEPARTURES
The upheaval is not limited to manager and style of play but personnel on the pitch too with Louise Quinn, Diane Caldwell, Niamh Fahey
McCabe said: 'You can't shy away from that, it leaves certain gaps because those girls, the experience they have, their knowledge, how they've handled themselves on and off the pitch and conducted themselves in the green jersey is something to be proud of.
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'If I can get to where they were, I'd be so proud. There are big gaps to fill. But for us now, it's time for people to step up.
'It's time for players to step into those roles and really grow and see it as an opportunity to take a position in the starting XI and around the squad. The last few months were a different sort of period.
'We're playing a different formation than what we're used to. With that will come mistakes, but it's about learning from it and then tightening it into what we want to be going forward.'
'TRANSITION PERIOD'
And, with her 30th birthday looming on the horizon in September, she is aware that the number of opportunities she will have to play in major tournaments is diminishing.
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She said: 'It's funny as the years go on you think you'll be young forever and there's always just going to be a next one and a next one, then they start to die down as you get older.
'Yes, it's a transition period, but for me, I still have the hunger and desire to represent my country and be part of that, and have a good steer on how we can take the team forward and demand standards out of everybody.
'That's obviously for new players and younger players coming in as well, what it means to represent Ireland.
'We've got Denise O'Sullivan and Courtney Brosnan and we've got a lot of players that know that and understand that and it's about just breeding the new crop in as quick as possible really.
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'Hopefully in October we can get a good steer on who we want to be going forward.'
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