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DIANE CALDWELL HAS announced her retirement from international football, ending a career which saw the Dubliner win 102 caps for the Ireland women’s team.
The defender debuted at senior level in 2006 having represented Ireland at U17 and U19 level.
The Balbriggan native scored her first international goal against Northern Ireland in March 2013, and added three further goals in the green jersey (v Greece, Montenegro and Georgia).
Caldwell, 36, was part of the Ireland squad that made history by qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and in October 2023 she became the seventh player to reach 100 caps for the women’s national team. Caldwell captained Ireland on the occasion of her 100th cap, a 5-1 home win against Albania.
“I always hoped this day would never come,” Caldwell said.
“For me, playing for Ireland was everything. But now, it’s the right time for me to stop.
Every time I put on the green jersey, I felt the utmost pride and passion to do the country justice. I absolutely loved every minute.
“I dedicated my life to Ireland for 21 years. From when I made my debut at 14 years old for the U17s, to making my senior debut at 17 years old, it’s a journey I’m immensely proud of.
“From cap one to 102, every one meant so much to me. Belting out Amhrán na bhFiann, arm in arm with my teammates and watching the tricolour wave, it never lost its honour.
“I’m so thankful for what my journey with Ireland has given me and for all the life lessons it taught me. I’m also so grateful for all the lifelong friendships it created, all my amazing team-mates that I had the privilege of playing with and all the extraordinary fans whose support I truly valued.
“I look forward to being a supporter again knowing that my heart is full of cherished moments and unforgettable memories.”
FAI Chief Football Officer Marc Canham added: “Diane deserves her place in Irish football history as someone who made a significant impact in an Ireland jersey. Part of the World Cup squad in 2023, she was a key figure in helping that team to forge a legacy that will benefit future generations of those involved in women and girls’ football.”
The news comes on the back of last week’s announcement that Niamh Fahey was calling time on her international football career after 17 years and 115 caps.
Written by Ciarán Kennedy and originally published on The 42 whose award-winning team produces original content that you won’t find anywhere else: on GAA, League of Ireland, women’s sport and boxing, as well as our game-changing rugby coverage, all with an Irish eye. Subscribe here.
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Good riddens! Her attitude and complete disregard to her manager Vera Pauw in that media interview with McCabe was disgusting and disgraceful. No loss
@Chutes Idiot: chutes id… here is one of the far right racist troll pseudonyms used by Trump24 / tired Jim / various Does / many others
@Éanna o Sca: ‘riddens’ haha
@Frantic: Take a day off!
@Éanna o Sca: you know nothing about the irish girls football team if you think their attitude towards Vera pauw wasn’t justified…
@Stiles: enlighten me so…curious to know what you know..
@Franno: In all fairness, the manner in which they conducted themselves after the World Cup was highly unprofessional.
@Éanna o Sca: As long as we still have McCabe, we’re going to win every single game. She will score five or six goals at every match. No need for the other ten players or a manager, for that matter !
@Stiles: Exactly. It was Pauw who spilled to the press about McCabe wanting Farrelly to be taken off. Perfectly normal (and private) conversation between captain and manager. She knew what she was doing and it blew up in her face. Cute hoor and it seems she conned quite a few of the low information commenters on here.
@Louis Jacob: All other issues aside, don’t pretend it’s normal for a player to demand of the manager to take off a certain player. That’s totally overstepping the mark. I remember doing it once many moons ago and being pulled aside by a very experienced teammate (ex pro) who pulled me aside after game and told me in no uncertain terms never to do it again.
@Brian M: fair play, at least you learned from that. This group of Irish girls will win absolutely zero with McCabe/Caldwell at the helm calling the shots. At least the first part is gone. No place for egos when the quality available is shockingly poor. Vera did an unbelievable job with those players.
She looks rough for 36
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