THIS WEEKEND’S WOMEN’S FA Cup final features three Irish players – Niamh Fahey, Emma Byrne and Katie McCabe.
With Fahey and Byrne having won the title before, McCabe will be hoping to claim her first major title with the Gunners having signed for them last December.
Meanwhile, Niamh Fahey and Chelsea are in search of their second consecutive cup.
Here’s a list of previous Irish winners:
Niamh Fahey
Fahey has already won the FA Cup with both of this weekend’s title contenders. She’s hoping to add her sixth title on Saturday as she lines out for Chelsea.
The defender was the first Irish woman to lift the FA Cup at Wembley, as she helped secure the Blues’ first piece of silverware in the club’s history last year. Fahey previously played for Arsenal, making her debut in 2008 and winning five league titles, four FA Women’s Cups and the FA Women’s Premier League Cup with the Gunners.
Emma Byrne
Emma Byrne is another Irish international who’s had her hands on the FA Cup more than once before. The goalkeeper and Irish captain, has won every honour in England on more than one occasion with Arsenal, including nine FA Cups.
The Kildare native has also won the UEFA Women’s Cup with the club and holds the all-time international caps record. Byrne didn’t start in the Gunners’ semi-final annihilation of Sunderland but Arsenal are yet to announce their cup final starting team.
Ciara Grant
The Waterford midfielder is a former Irish player who’s also lined out for the Londoners. Grant won her first FA Cup in 1999 and went on to win six more. She provided an assist for the decisive goal in the 2001 final, as Arsenal beat Fulham 1-0. On the international front, Grant made 102 caps for Ireland and also captained the side for many years, before her international retirement in 2013.
Yvonne Tracy
Another former Arsenal player, Tracy was a member of the treble winning team in her debut season of 2000/01. The Clare defender has won seven FA Cups, on top of nine Premier League titles, six League Cups, and a UEFA Cup. She called a day on her successful career last year, with a total of 102 international caps and a remarkable reign with the Gunners, as well as a year with Reading.
Caroline Thorpe
Thorpe joined Arsenal for a brief spell over a decade ago, staying for just a single season. The midfielder’s year however was a huge success, winning the treble. The current UCD Waves player was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Fulham in the 2001 FA Cup final, but still part of the winning squad nonetheless.
Ronnie Gibbons
Gibbons finally got her hands on the FA Cup in 2002, after losing to Arsenal the previous season. Fulham went on to retain their title in 2003, with Gibbons again being named as a substitute. She joined the club at the age of just 13, and became captain when she was 17-years-old. Despite being born in Wandsworth, the defender was eligible to play for Ireland as her grandparents were from Galway and Mayo. She made her debut in 2000.
Grainne Kierans
The Drogheda native was part of the Arsenal squad that won the title in both 1999 and 2001, before moving to Charlton. The Addicks reached the final in 2003, but were beaten 3-0 by Fulham. The former attacking midfielder is currently the head coach of Shamrock Rovers, who compete in the Women’s National League.
So close but yet so far for…..
Fiona O’Sullivan
Fiona O’Sullivan was a runner-up with Notts County last year. The 29-year-old striker featured as an 82nd-minute substitute in the final at Wembley Stadium, but County lost by a single goal to Chelsea.
Sophie Perry
Current Brighton and Hove Albion defender Sophie Perry was on the losing side of the 2012 FA Cup Final. In her last season with Chelsea, they were beaten on penalties by Birmingham. Despite being a pivotal part of the starting team in the run-up to the final, Perry took to the field as a sub. The 29-year-old represented England up to U23 level but chose to play her senior international football with Ireland, debuting in 2012.
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