3 June 2026; Emily Murphy and team-mates during a Republic of Ireland women's training session at Fota Island Resort in Cork. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Katie McCabe Ballon d’Or conversation is all about the challenge for recognition
“If Katie was English, everybody would be saying she should be in Ballon d’Or conversations”, were the strong words from the Ireland head coach, as she announced her squad for the crucial World Cup Qualifiers against the Netherlands and France in the coming days.
With her departure from Arsenal confirmed the week prior, Carla Ward was full of praise for her captain off the back of another impressive campaign in North London, suggesting that the defender would be in Ballon d’Or contention if she was English.
Katie McCabe has been the star of Irish football for years now, from being named Ireland captain at just 21 to leading her country to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 - when you think of Irish football, Katie McCabe is one of the first names that comes to mind.
She played a similar role for Arsenal in her 11 years at the club. A mainstay for the Gooners, McCabe made 305 appearances scoring 37 goals, winning seven major titles along the way, and twice being named Arsenal Women Player of the Season.
This season was no exception, with McCabe playing a crucial role as Arsenal battled for the WSL title, ultimately missing out by four points to Manchester City.
The Irish defender is one of the league’s leading full-backs, appearing in all but one match, totalling a huge 1,519 minutes across the WSL season, the fourth highest at Arsenal.
Her attacking contribution was key to the Gooners strong form as she created 23 chances across the season, ranking her sixth across all fullbacks.
Recognition followed those performances, with McCabe named in the WSL Team of the Season alongside teammate Mariona Caldentey.
On individual merit, there is little doubt that she remains among the WSL’s elite full-backs as she prepares for a new challenge at Chelsea.
Her form for her country is no different. Drawn alongside European powerhouses the Netherlands and France, as well as an ambitious Polish side led by Ewa Pajor, Ireland faced into one of the toughest World Cup qualifying groups possible.
They led seventh ranked France for 59 minutes, following an early Katie McCabe goal, before ultimately conceding two in the 71st and 79th minutes.
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It was a similar story against the Netherlands away, a McCabe penalty brought the scores equal, before a late goal from Beerensteyn secured the three points for the Oranje.
Two strong results against Poland, in which McCabe grabbed another goal, has left the Girls in Green in with a real possibility of securing a place at next year’s World Cup going into Friday’s game against the Dutch in Cork.
Impressive performances for both club and country would appear to strengthen McCabe’s case for recognition. The problem, however, lies in how Ballon d’Or votes are typically decided.
In recent years, trophy success has become an almost decisive factor in determining Ballon d’Or winners.
For players representing smaller footballing nations, club success often carries even greater importance when awards are decided. Arsenal’s failure to secure the WSL title, or defend their UEFA Women’s Champions League crown has left Katie McCabe needing to have an extremely strong start to the 2026/27 season to be in contention.
Ward’s suggestion raises an interesting question - are players from smaller football nations judged differently?
McCabe has been one of Europe’s standout full-backs season on season, yet she rarely receives the same level of international attention as players representing England, Spain or France.
An example of this can be seen in Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. Despite winning three consecutive WSL Golden Boots and breaking numerous scoring records, the Jamaican striker has never finished higher than 15th in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
Her case highlights how players from smaller footballing nations often struggle to gain the same recognition as their counterparts from traditional powerhouses, especially when they haven’t won a host of major silverware at their club.Simply put, unless you are consistently winning major honours, truly being in contention as a player from a smaller country is extremely difficult.
The Ballon d’Or is unlikely to make its way to Dublin anytime soon, but Carla Ward’s comments were never really about Katie McCabe being crowned the best footballer in the world.
They were about recognition, and the challenges of earning that recognition when you don’t represent one of the sport’s traditional powerhouses.
McCabe may not be among the favourites for football’s most prestigious individual award, but on the evidence of another outstanding season for club and country, she has done more than enough to deserve a place in the conversation.
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Key questions answered as Celtic search for new boss with Robbie Keane, Martin O’Neill, Craig Bellamy and Roberto Martinez all considered
Sky Sports has reported that Celtic owner Dermot Desmond held ‘constructive’ talks with Robbie Keane over the Parkhead managerial vacancy earlier this week but also says that no decision will be made until Martin O’Neill is consulted about his future wishes.
The broadcaster prompted much debate amongst Celtic fans on Thursday when it broke the news that the talks between Desmond and Keane had been positive.
As Keane’s past life as manager of Maccabi Tel Aviv continues to stir controversy, Sky have also reported that Desmond will make no decision until he sits down with O’Neill who won the double in his second interim spell as manager in the season just ended.
The report says O’Neill may be interested in staying in the hotseat for another season or could move upstairs to a Director of Football or advisory role with the Bhoys next season.
Sky Sports also claim that Celtic want to talk to Wales boss Craig Bellamy despite his public commitment to his country in recent days while Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is in the mix.
They say that O’Neill now holds the key to the appointment and, by definition, to Keane’s aspirations to manage the club where he played on loan for six months in 2010.
As the FAI wait to decide what will happen around the Nations League home game with Israel in October, the Scottish women have confirmed they never spoke about a boycott of their World Cup games against the Israelis.
Scotland will play both the home and away matches in Budapest which will also host the other Israel games against Belgium and Luxembourg.
Midfielder Christy Grimshaw confirmed to BBC Sport that a boycott was never discussed by the Scottish players. “Honestly, no,” she said. “We are obviously aware of all the situations with the Irish players as well, with Israel.
“Ultimately, we have to let the people who are in charge of these situations - the governing bodies who decide these things - decide. We, as players, have been put in a situation where it’s the Israel game at a neutral venue and that’s all we can do.
“Is it the best circumstances surrounding it? Of course not, because we are aware of everything else that’s going on and we feel for that as humans. However, right now we have to adapt to the situation and play football. That’s our role and that’s all we can do.”
New Ireland striker Mason Melia aims to show Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi what he can do in Canada’s World Cup send-off game in Montreal on Friday night.
The former St Patrick’s Athletic striker made his Irish debut as a last minute sub against Qatar last month and is expected to win a second cap in the friendly.
Speaking at a pre-game media conference, Melia told the Irish Sun’s Owen Cowzer that he wants to show Spurs he is ready for a first team debut in this end of season fixture and could even consider a loan move in the summer.
Melia said: “I want to be playing first team football again, I’ve said it to the club as well, they know that as well. So it’s just seeing what’s right, what the manager and what everyone at the club wants. At the moment I’m not quite sure, they want me to come in for pre-season.
“So I want to do as well and just show the manager what I can do, and do my best and see what goes from there.”
Derry City star James McClean will bring his own unique take on football to the RTE Studio panel for the World Cup finals.
The station announced yesterday that former Irish international will join the likes of Shay Given, Ronnie Whelan, Ray Houghton, Dietmar Hamann, Áine O’Gorman, Kenny Cunningham, Stephen Kelly, Keith Treacy, Richie Sadlier, Alan Cawley, Kevin Doyle and Niamh Fahey as RTE broadcast 104 games in total across their platforms.
Shamrock Rovers will begin their defence of the FAI Cup with a home tie against Cork City in the second round of the 2026 edition of the tournament, a repeat of last year’s final which the Hoops won 2-0.
The42.ie reports that Dundalk will play away to Leinster Senior League side St Mochta’s while First Division Kerry FC will host Shelbourne.
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