Former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan says that her career has been "an incredible journey" after she announced her retirement from football.
Former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan said that her career has been "an incredible journey" after she announced her retirement from football.
The 40-year-old brought the curtain down on her distinguished career before Cliftonville's Challenge Cup victory over Linfield on Saturday.
Callaghan, who has been at the club for more than two decades, missed the decider through suspension after a red card against Linfield in a league game last month.
As a result, her last game for Cliftonville was a 1-0 defeat against Glentoran which handed the east Belfast side the Women's Premiership trophy.
Despite not being granted a fairytale ending on the pitch, Callaghan was still pleased to have bowed out on a high as the Reds retained the trophy, and the midfielder was serenaded by Cliftonville supporters at Windsor Park.
"The last few weeks have been an absolute emotional rollercoaster from when I got the red card against Linfield, which I think was a bit harsh," she told BBC Sport NI.
"Thankfully the club backed me and put an appeal in and that gave me the chance to play another two games.
"When I came off with the red card, I was gutted thinking I was going to miss my last few games but lucky enough I got two of them anyway.
"It's the end of an era, I've had a really good run. I'm happy we got the win and I end as an Irish Cup champion."
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'I knew from the start of the season this would be my last'
Callaghan won 91 caps for Northern Ireland and captained her country at their first major tournament at the 2022 Women's Euros.
She announced her international retirement earlier this year but kept playing for Cliftonville.
With the Reds, Callaghan has played a pivotal role in delivering two Women's Premiership titles in 2022 and 2024 as well as countless other trophies.
The 2022 triumph was Cliftonville's first league title, while in 2024 they completed an 'invincible' league season as they won a treble.
She admits she considered retirement last season, but the chance to play in again in the Champions League persuaded her to give it one more season.
"I thought about it last year ending on a treble and an 'invincible' season, how can you get any better than that?" she continued.
"But I just thought I had another year in me especially with Champions League, it was a big reason why I wanted to carry on.
"I knew from the start of the season it was going to be my last, so I just went out to enjoy every match and the season on and off the pitch.
"It's been a brilliant atmosphere, and it is great to see some of the young players getting better."
'I'm so thankful'
Callaghan has had many highs and lows throughout her career, but pinpoints Cliftonville's 2-1 European defeat against Lantchkhouti in August as her toughest experience and the Euros with NI amongst her fondest memories.
"The lowest moment I had was the second game away in the Champions League because we did everything and should have won the game.
"I sobbed like a baby because the girls put so much into it, it was heartbreaking so that was the hardest moment of my entire career," she explained.
"The highlights were going to the Euros and leading Northern Ireland. I've said it a million times about singing with the fans at the end of the England game, but wearing the red jersey every single season has been unbelievable too.
"I've met so many amazing people and had so many brilliant coaches who have believed in me and pushed me on to be the player I was. It's been an incredible journey and I'm so thankful."
Callaghan works as a women's and girls' football administrator with the Irish FA Foundation and says she take some time away from the game before considering whether she wants to go into coaching.
"I need a bit of a break and focus on family. It is tough being out every night at training so I will go and be with family and we'll see what opportunities come up in the future."
Category: General Sports
