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The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Rugby legend makes touching gesture to Louise Quinn following tearful Ireland star's final game before retirement
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 2 Louise Quinn played her final game for Ireland against Slovenia Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 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. Read More on Ireland WNT 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. Most read in Football "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. 'You can't make this up' - Irish fans in stitches at Ruesha Littlejohn's playful prank upon Katie McCabe's camp arrival 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.'
The 42
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Adelaide United striker Erin Healy earns first Ireland international call-up
US-BORN STRIKER Erin Healy has earned a first Ireland WNT call-up for the final Nations League double-header against Türkiye and Slovenia. The 24-year-old, who plays her football with Adelaide United in Australia's A-League, qualifies to represent Ireland through her Monaghan-born grandfather. Veteran defender Louise Quinn has been included for one last international camp ahead of her retirement this summer, while Megan Connolly returns having missed the games against Greece through injury. As expected, Heather Payne (Achilles) and Leanne Kiernan (quad) have both been ruled out, while Tara O'Hanlon, Jamie Finn, Lily Agg and Jess Ziu are all still unavailable through injury. The Ireland squad are due to report to Istanbul on Sunday to begin preparations for the penultimate League B Group 2 game against Türkiye on Friday, 30 May. Advertisement They then host Slovenia in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Cork, on Tuesday, 3 June. Ward's side are currently second to Slovenia, who beat them 4-0 in Koper in February, with just the group winners promoted automatically to League A. The runners-up will chase promotion in playoffs later this year. Ireland WNT Squad Goalkeepers: Courtney Brosnan (Everton), Grace Moloney (Unattached), Sophie Whitehouse (Charlton Athletic) Defenders: Jessie Stapleton (West Ham United), Aoife Mannion (Manchester United), Anna Patten (Aston Villa), Caitlin Hayes (Brighton & Hove Albion), Louise Quinn (Unattached), Chloe Mustaki (Bristol City), Megan Campbell (Unattached), Katie McCabe (Arsenal) Midfielders: Denise O'Sullivan (North Carolina Courage), Ruesha Littlejohn (Shamrock Rovers), Megan Connolly (Lazio), Tyler Toland (Blackburn Rovers), Marissa Sheva (Sunderland), Aoibheann Clancy (Shelbourne) Forwards: Kyra Carusa (San Diego Wave), Amber Barrett (Standard Liege), Abbie Larkin (Crystal Palace), Lucy Quinn (Birmingham City), Emily Murphy (Newcastle United), Saoirse Noonan (Celtic), Erin Healy (Adelaide United)
