Ireland lose another stalwart as Quinn hangs up boots

The Republic of Ireland have lost another stalwart after defender Louise Quinn announced she has retired from the game.

Quinn, 34, has been a brilliant servant to the Girls in Green, earning 121 caps over 16 years.

The centre-half captained Peamount United to the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division title in the league’s inaugural season in 2012. She also won two League Cups with Peamount and made seven appearances in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, scoring a hat-trick against ZNK Krka in August 2011.

A move to Eskilstuna United in Sweden in 2013 kickstarted Quinn’s club journey abroad that also included spells in England with Notts County, Arsenal and Birmingham City, as well as a season in Italy with Fiorentina. During her time at Arsenal, the Wicklow native won the Women’s Super League and the FA Women’s League Cup.

Quinn is on the books at Birmingham but has not played since suffering a hip injury last October. In March, Quinn and her partner Eilish O'Gara welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Daragh.

At international level, Quinn made her senior debut as a late substitute in a friendly win over Poland in John Hyland Park, Dublin in February 2008.

She would go on to become one of seven centurions for the Ireland women's team, making her 100th appearance against Morocco in November 2022. She played every minute of the country's historic first appearance at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Known for her ability in the air, it is hardly surprising that 15 of Quinn’s 16 senior goals came from her head.

"When the time arrives that you need to write your retirement statement, they are the hardest words to find," she said on Tuesday.

"But it is time for me to hang up the boots. There are so many reasons as to why or why not but it's just one of those things, when you know, you know.

Louise Quinn was a key figure at the World Cup

"The Ireland team... that is the reason why I always wanted to play this game. Some of the best moments of my life have been in the green jersey. I've been part of something so special. The foundations were laid by legends of the women's team before me and for a short period I was lucky enough to play with a few of them too.

"Then it was up to us to continue that fight to put the Ireland team on map on the international stage. We built, we fought, we were ALWAYS a team, a group that would give everything to everyone in our Irish bubble. And the World Cup proved that dreams do come true.

"To my family, Mam, Dad, Sinead and Viv, what would I do without you? We've travelled the world together because of this game. You made it so easy for me to be me and just to find fun, love and obsession with football.

"The loves of my life, Eilish and Daragh. I am so excited to see our little family grow and what is next for us! Eilish, your support through the last few years has made me love football even more. Your 'no fear' attitude has rubbed off on me.

"To my friends, team-mates, coaches, fans and everyone who helped me along the way, the influence you have had over me has made me the person that I am. It has been the best experience of my life. I wouldn't change a thing. For now, I just can't wait to spend time with my family."

Quinn is the latest established figure to walk away after Diane Caldwell, Niamh Fahey and Julie Ann Russell confirmed their retirements over the last four months.

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