The Women’s National Team is on the way to the FIFA Women’s World Cup! Klara Heron shares why captain Katie McCabe is one of her favourite covers yet
Team Irish Country Magazine has had great fun slagging me for how much I have ‘fangirled’ over this issue’s cover star, Katie McCabe.
I have always been a passionate spectator of sport and feel strongly about women being represented equally in their fields. Yes, the Irish captain is a superstar athlete, but more than that, to have someone on our cover who is at the top of their game, and is professional, kind and passionate – I consider that a pretty big deal, no matter their career.
We’ve got McCabe, Katie McCabe
As Katie leads our national team to their first-ever World Cup this July, we want the pride and support for this team to spread far and wide. The Girls in Green have qualified for the biggest tournament of their lives, despite many of them starting out playing for their local boys’ team, despite sub-standard facilities in their professional careers, and despite being paid considerably less to play for their country up until two years ago (Katie was a key figure in establishing the equal pay between the men and women’s squads in 2021).
And now, against all the odds, we have before us a team of fighters. Of champions who have battled to make it to this career-defining tournament – a stage on which we haven’t had a men’s team represent us since 2002. It’s time for some new football legends to be born, for new songs to be sang and heroes to be celebrated. Think about what these players will mean to the young girls and boys watching. The kids who will wear their jerseys with pride as they play, remembering the moment they saw their country represented on such a huge stage and thought, ‘That could be me one day’.
Katie’s story aptly reflects the resilience it takes to get to a moment like this, and it was an honour for us as a team to spend time with her and hear all about her journey (page 26).
To Captain Katie and the whole squad headed Down Under, we couldn’t be prouder or more excited to watch you shine. We know you’ll do us proud ladies – you already have. Come On You Girls In Green.
The July/August issue is in shops nationwide now, find your local stockist here.
