Katie McCabe refreshed and recharged with new goals for the season ahead

Extra.ie​

4 days ago

Katie McCabe says it can still feel surreal to open the box and see her Champions League medal.
Back in May, the Ireland captain became the first footballer from this country to win Europe's premier club competition since John O'Shea in 2008, and emulated what Emma Byrne, Yvonne Treacy and Ciara Grant had done with Arsenal the year before that.
When she meets the press, McCabe has a busy day ahead of her in Dublin, including a visit to Crumlin's Children's Hospital. However, she insists her batteries are fully recharged and she is looking forward to another successful season with Arsenal while also hoping to get the better of Belgium in October's Nations League play-off. When she meets the press, McCabe has a busy day ahead of her in Dublin, including a visit to Crumlin's Children's Hospital. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
The 29-year-old played more minutes than any other Gunners star in the campaign that ended with European glory. It led to Ireland manager Carla Ward suggesting that her skipper was 'on the verge of burnout' following the 1-0 win over Slovenia in June, and she was excused from the trip to the USA, although McCabe took issue with that yesterday.
'I wasn't on the verge of burnout, I could have played three days later,' McCabe said. 'I just chose to enjoy the break. It wasn't necessary for me to travel to the USA. But I feel good, I feel great, and I was happy with the decision I took, and I was supported by Carla.
'It was nice to be able to switch off and refocus, reset and recharge the batteries. I'm now about a week or two into pre-season and ready to get going again. I think it's going to be an exciting year. We've got the Champions League trophy to defend and want to keep pushing on all fronts and all competitions with Arsenal. I'm feeling really good and ready to have another big push this year.' Katie McCabe says it can still feel surreal to open the box and see her Champions League medal. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
In her effort to switch off from the game, McCabe didn't watch the early stages of the recent Euros, but by the time her Arsenal teammates Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly were helping England to a second successive title, she was fully engrossed.
And while she insists there was no regret, she admitted it was tough watching a major tournament play out without Ireland there.
'No regrets. For us, we were disappointed and I think everyone could see how hurt we were that we didn't get over the line. And then we had the transition period with Carla coming in. Honestly, I didn't watch the start of it because I was just trying to switch off and refresh. But towards the knockout stages and semi-final, final, I watched it. When she meets the press, McCabe has a busy day ahead of her in Dublin, including a visit to Crumlin's Children's Hospital. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
'It's always tough because as a player you want to be there, having had the experience of the World Cup, you've got a taste of it. So, for a tournament to be going on and being so close to it, it was a tough one to take for sure. We've dissected it and digested it and we need to just keep pushing forward now.'
Wales, who dumped Ireland out in the play-off, had a difficult time in Switzerland and were comprehensively beaten by France, the Netherlands and England, but McCabe says that it wasn't a reality check.
'It would have been a tough group for us. But I think what we've shown in the past, especially being in probably the toughest group in the World Cup, when we have a game plan and when we're cohesive as a team and hard to beat, we try to stay away from those sort of scorelines.
'But you can't deny the quality of England, the Netherlands, and France as well. They're top-quality teams. Obviously, I don't know how we'd go up against them. It was difficult for Wales, but I'm sure if we were there, we would have relished the opportunity to give it a good go.'
The emergence of Italy as a force, who were so unlucky to lose to England in the semi-final, underlines how countries are getting stronger in the women's game. I was very impressed by that Italian side, the level of investment they have put in the domestic game, and how many players are actually playing back in Italy.
'You see the quality in their side and the determination. They've got good structure, good on the ball, they're technical and got a real game plan.
'They've invested well in their domestic league and got that back.' The Ireland captain was also impressed by Belgium, their upcoming play-off opponents, even though they didn't get out of their group, but she says that October's two games can be steps in the direction they want to go under Ward.
'I think it's still transitioning. I think when you've got a new coach, it takes time. We've seen that in the past, under Vera and Colin. I think Carla is — 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.
'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 ambition is 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.