Savannah McCarthy

Savannah McCarthy (born 26 March 1997) is an Irish football defender who plays for Galway WFC of the Women's National League (WNL) and the Republic of Ireland. She previously played for UCD Waves and Cork City of the WNL, as well as for Glasgow City of the Scottish Women's Premier League (SWPL). She is a powerful centre back who can also play in midfield.[2]

Savannah McCarthy
Personal information
Date of birth (1997-03-26) 26 March 1997
Place of birth Tralee, Kerry, Ireland
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Galway
Number 15
Youth career
Listowel Celtic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014–2015 UCD Waves
2015–2016 Galway
2016–2017 Glasgow City
2018–2019 Cork City
2020– Galway
National team
2012–2013 Republic of Ireland U17 11 (1)
2014–2016 Republic of Ireland U19[1] 15 (3)
2016– Republic of Ireland 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

McCarthy played soccer for Listowel Celtic in the early stages of her career, after joining the club when she was seven years old. She also played Gaelic football for Kerry up to minor level, before deciding to focus on soccer.[3]

Club career

McCarthy signed for UCD Waves in August 2014[4] and made her first Women's National League (WNL) appearances for the club in 2014–15. After one season she joined Galway WFC, partly to cut down on travelling.[5]

In February 2016 McCarthy accepted the offer of a professional contract with Scottish UEFA Women's Champions League contestants Glasgow City.[6] The presence of some Irish international teammates helped her to feel settled in her new surroundings.[7] In November 2017 she helped Glasgow City secure their 11th successive Scottish Women's Premier League title.[8]

In March 2018 McCarthy returned to the Women's National League with Cork City.[9] On her debut for Cork she scored a "long-range looping strike" in a 2–0 win at her former club Galway.[10] She was Cork's Player of the Season in 2018 but a missed much of 2019 due to injury.[11] In May 2020 she signed for Galway again.[12]

International career

Youth

McCarthy was an important defender in the Republic of Ireland women's national under-19 football team which qualified for the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship finals for the first time in 2014.[13] She scored against England and Sweden as Ireland negotiated the group stage.[14] They lost 4–0 to the Netherlands in the semi-final, for whom Vivianne Miedema scored a hat-trick.[15]

Senior

On 5 May 2014, Republic of Ireland women's national football team manager Susan Ronan named McCarthy in an experimental squad for a friendly against the Basque Country.[16] She appeared as a substitute for Ciara McCormack in Ireland's 2–0 defeat in Azpeitia, which was not classified as a full international fixture.[17]

McCarthy was called up again for a UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying fixture against Spain in November 2015. Coach Ronan said: "It will be a good experience for Savannah, who is still with the U19 squad and an opportunity for her to see at first hand what is required at senior international level."[18] She was picked for a trip to the United States in January 2016,[19] remaining an unused substitute in Ireland's 5–0 defeat by the senior United States team but starting a 3–0 defeat by the hosts' national under-23 team two days later.[20]

She won her first senior cap at the 2016 Cyprus Cup, as an 86th-minute substitute for Megan Campbell in the opening 2–0 defeat by Austria.[21] She then started the 1–1 draw with Italy[22] and the 1–0 defeat by Hungary.[23] In June 2016 she made a competitive appearance, starting Ireland's record-equalling 9–0 win over Montenegro.[24] McCarthy played the second half of a 2–1 home friendly win over the Basque Country on 25 November 2016, coming in for Jetta Berrill at half-time.[25] When Susan Ronan stood down and was replaced by Colin Bell in February 2017, McCarthy was named in his first squad for the 2017 Cyprus Cup.[26]

Personal life

McCarthy is an Irish Traveller. She was proud to be presented with a Traveller Pride Award by her hero Katie Taylor in May 2013.[27]

References
  1. http://www.soccerpunter.com/players/270845-Savannah-Mccarthy
  2. "Spotlight | Savannah McCarthy". Women's National League (Ireland). 21 May 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  3. Hannigan, Mary (7 April 2016). "Women in Sport: McCarthy aims high after making big move to Glasgow". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  4. O'Shea, Tom (13 August 2014). "Listowel star Savannah McCarthy signs for UCD Waves". The Kerryman. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  5. "McCarthy enjoying step up to senior squad". Football Association of Ireland. 19 January 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  6. "Glasgow City sign Ireland international Savannah McCarthy". Glasgow City F.C. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  7. "Spotlight on Savannah McCarthy". Glasgow City F.C. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  8. Duffy, Emma (13 November 2017). "Strong Irish contingent help Glasgow City to their 11th Scottish league title in-a-row". The42.ie. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  9. "Savannah McCarthy signs for CCFC". Cork City F.C. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. "Galway WFC stung by former player". Galway Advertiser. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  11. Horgan, Andrew (30 December 2019). "Cork City Women's FC stalwart insists club heading in the right direction". The Echo (Cork newspaper). Retrieved 1 November 2020. Savannah McCarthy was our player of the year in the 2018 season and she missed a huge part through injury. It was a very serious injury and but you are missing a very experienced player and a senior international who has played professionally abroad.
  12. "Kerry Soccer Star Joins Irish National League Side". Radio Kerry. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  13. Hannigan, Mary (8 December 2014). "Savannah McCarthy the leading light in Ireland's bright under-19 side". The Irish Times. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  14. McGuinnes, Grainne (24 July 2014). "Meet Ireland's newest soccer stars as they prepare for Euro semi-final". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  15. "Ireland women bow out of Under-19 European Championships". The Irish Times. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  16. "Ronan names squad for Basque friendly". Extratime.ie. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  17. "Ireland lXI [sic] beaten by experienced Basque side". Football Association of Ireland. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2019.
  18. "Savannah McCarthy called up to Ireland women's squad". RTÉ Sport. 18 November 2015. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  19. Blake, Ben (23 January 2016). "Ireland face world champions the US in front of 20,000 fans tonight". The42.ie. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  20. "U.S. U-23 WNT downs Ireland 3-0 at National Training Center". Soccerwire.com. 26 January 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  21. "Defeat for Ireland in Cyprus Cup opener". Football Association of Ireland. 2 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  22. "Ideal start for Connolly and McCarthy". Football Association of Ireland. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  23. "Ireland lose out to Hungary in Cyprus Cup". RTÉ Sport. 7 March 2016. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  24. "Ireland 9 - 0 Montenegro" (in Montenegrin). Football Association of Montenegro. 7 June 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  25. Menayo, David (26 November 2016). "La selección de Euskadi cae ante Irlanda en su visita a Dublín". Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  26. Mackey, Liam (14 February 2017). "New manager Colin Bell wants Ireland to put pedal to the metal". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  27. "Star Savannah shines at awards". The Kerryman. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
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