Rugby legend makes touching gesture to Louise Quinn following tearful Ireland star's final game before retirement

The Irish Sun

03-06-2025

DONNCHA O'CALLAGHAN comforted Louise Quinn after she played her final game for the Republic of Ireland.
The popular defender came on for Carla Ward near the end of Ireland's
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Louise Quinn played her final game for Ireland against Slovenia
Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
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She was comforted by Donncha O'Callaghan
Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
It was her 122nd and last cap for her country, and her last game in professional soccer before retiring altogether.
The tears flowed upon the final whistle at Pairc Ui Chaoimh as Quinn gave the post-match team-talk while being embraced by teammates.
When she went over to the stands at the home of
Present at the game was former
star
Donncha O'Callaghan, who made the point of sharing a moment with Quinn.
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The legendary defender bids farewell to an international career that peaked when she starred at the 2023
And speaking to
She said: "I think it will take a little bit of time but I just feel like where we have come as a team and to now, you can see that progress.
"We were a nation that was really struggling and to be part of something that has built to where it is now, I am so proud.
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"To make it this far and I am still in one piece, I am pretty happy."
Louise Quinn was not the only player for whom Tuesday night was an emotional occasion.
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Saoirse Noonan scored the only goal of the game as the
striker
achieved an unexpected feat of her own.
By starting for the
In 2020, she played full forward for the Rebelettes against
She described it as a "surreal" occasion and revealed how much it would mean to her family.
Noonan said: 'Carla called the team last night.
"When I got the nod, I just told my parents and kept it a bit quiet and just tried to treat it like another game.
'The goal, when it went in and hit off my head, I could just see it dipping. I don't even know how I celebrated or anything.
'I just had a little moment, took a deep breath and was back into focus, we wanted to get that next goal quick.
'My Grandad would have been a proud man tonight, he would have been at every game with my granny, and this was the first time she's seen me play senior (for Ireland).
"It was emotional and it meant a lot to me.
'Being in Cork is enough motivation in itself. Wearing the Irish
jersey
is enough motivation.
"You don't need anything else really. It does add that little bit of grit.
'Since the new stadium's been built, I played here with the Cork ladies footballers at senior level.
"To come back wearing a different shirt, it's the same feeling, you're representing something you're really proud of.
"It's phenomenal.'