Marissa Callaghan, the former captain of Northern Ireland's women’s football team, has announced her retirement from international play. Over her career, she earned 91 caps and led the team to the Euro 2022 finals, Northern Ireland's debut at a significant women’s tournament. Recently, she was omitted from the squad for the upcoming Euro 2025 play-off against Croatia. Callaghan's final appearance was in April against Malta. Her emotional farewell reflects the pride she felt donning the green jersey, as she expressed gratitude for her experiences on the pitch throughout her career.
"Putting on the green jersey is a feeling that you cannot explain, and it doesn't matter whether it's a friendly game, a game at the Euros or a competitive game," Callaghan told the Irish FA. "When you walk out onto that pitch and cross that white line, it's just the feeling of immense pride. It's an incredible feeling and I'm so thankful that I got to do that 91 times."
Callaghan won 91 caps and led Northern Ireland to the Euro 2022 finals - the country's first women's major tournament. She has not featured for Northern Ireland after being left out of Tanya Oxtoby's squad for October's Euro 2025 play-off with Croatia.
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