Ireland footie star Katie McCabe on private life ‘balance’ amid romance rumours

FOOTBALL star Katie McCabe has vowed to continue giving fans a glimpse of her downtime — but insists she will be keeping plenty off limits.

Ireland’s captain, 28, sparked romance rumours when she posted holiday pics with Arsenal team-mate ­Caitlin Foord in May.

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And she was back last month with updates of her holiday in a five-star Greek resort.

Her photos with Foord — under the headline “Amore” (Love) — even got Katie’s mum purring “great pics love yous” before the pair jetted off to Australia with their club.

Katie told the Irish Sun: “For me, I try to keep a balance when I’m in season. Obviously, everything is very professional.

“I try and engage with my fans as much as I can, if I’ve got the time to. Whether that’s doing maybe giveaways or answering questions on like Snapchat or Instagram.

“When it comes to, like my private life, there’s certain stuff I’ll share, and then there’s certain stuff obviously I’ll keep to myself.

“I can’t control any negative articles out there.

“I’ve had a two weeks off and thoroughly enjoyed myself with some friends, being able to rest and relax after such a hectic season.”

The World Cup goalscorer insists there has never been a better time to be a sportswoman in this country.

The Gunners hero hailed the “amazing” athletes who struck gold and silver in the European Athletics championships in Rome earlier this month.

And while the national women’s team has come unstuck in recent games, the skipper vowed to continue inspiring girls with her exploits on the pitch.

McCabe told the Irish Sun of 1,500m champ Ciara Mageehan and the 400m heroes including Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley: “They’re doing amazing. For me to see the success of the whole athletics as a as a whole, especially in Rome, was incredible.

“I’m really looking forward to the Olympics now. I’m a big athletics fan, and just women in sport now – especially in Ireland, where we’re doing such wonderful things.

“Obviously we were maybe the talk of the country last year with the World Cup.

“Rhasidat now, doing so well, it’s incredible. We’re big fans and support women in sport.”

Back looking at football, next up for Ireland’s women is England away on July 12 and then France at home in the Aviva on July 16 in their Euro 2025 qualifying group.

The last time they played there in April more than 32,000 saw a 2-0 defeat to England.

Qualifying campaign

Katie is suspended for England but will be back for France, and hopes the ladies can continue building on their 2023 World Cup experience in Australia.

She said: “For me as a captain, to be lead Ireland for our first time at a major tournament was something I’m incredibly proud of.

“Because we’ve got a taste for it now being in tournament football, it’s addictive, so something we definitely striving for.

“I think throughout that whole campaign, we were wanting to inspire young girls each time we stepped on the pitch. And we really felt the love of support from everyone back home.

“But also all the Irish fans in Australia too that came out to see us, whether that was Sydney, Perth, the last game in Brisbane too. It felt like home. Some of the games it really did, it was incredible.

“So, yeah, that’s something we just want to keep working towards now in terms for this European campaign next year.”

Super support

The move from Tallaght Stadium to the Aviva came on the back of a number of sold out games, and while Ireland prop up the Group A3 table, they continue to pull in the crowds.

She said: “They’re obviously loyal. I think they’re amazing. Especially the support we got in the past few days at the Aviva.

“When we’re singing the anthem and they are all behind us. It’s such a surreal moment. We’ve got amazing fans.”

“From a point from last year, we’ve really seen an investment from the Irish women’s football fans as well.

“And obviously playing on a world stage, like the World Cup, many people hopped on the bandwagon at times… but for us we absolutely appreciate every fan that comes to our game and meeting fans.

“We really feel the energy from them. And for us, when you’re on the pitch and you feel all the fans cheering you on, that energy to keep you going. It’s always really special. And obviously you want to continue to grow that fan base more and more after each game.”

Awareness bid

Cadbury has teamed up with the WNT to raise awareness and visibility of women’s football and supporting clubs around Ireland to improve their facilities.

Cadbury ambassador Katie said: “I’ve been with a brand now for three years. Cadbury have also come aboard as Women’s National Team sponsor too, which is fantastic.

“I think the thing for me is how involved Cadbury are from a grassroots point of view.

“They’re so invested in raising awareness around it, creating visibility, and just more so the encouraging aspects of it, in terms of having young girls participate from a grassroots point of view too.

“So it’s something I’m very proud to be part of, along with Abbie Larkin.”

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