McCabe is back in the Ireland squad for tomorrow’s final Euro 2025 qualifier against France at Páirc Uí Chaoimh having served a one-match ban for the defeat to England last Friday.
While she did not dismiss speculation about a potential move from Arsenal to Lyon, McCabe also spoke at length about the revelations from the investigation by the Sunday Independent’s Mark Tighe and RTE’s Marie Crowe.
“It was a really difficult watch,” she said at a press conference ahead of Ireland’s final Euro 2025 qualifier against France. “I felt a lot of different emotions. I really felt for the players coming out and sharing their story.
“To have the courage to do that after so long, 20-25 years I think it was, the courage they’ve shown to come out and speak about those things that should never, ever have happened while those women were playing football, and doing so to ensure it never happens again.
“I’m lucky to be part of a team and all through my playing career, that’s never happened to me nor do I know any close people of mine that that’s happened to.
“For me, as a captain of the national team, I can speak on behalf of the whole team and say our thoughts, our love, and our support is with each and every one of those women.
“For us, there are safeguarding protocols in place as a national team and having that reassurance from David (Courell, Interim CEO) and Aoife (Rafferty, People & Culture Officer) as well.
“Coming in at the start of the week to speak to us about that, to ensure those things should never happen in football, in any workplace.
“But yeah, our thoughts and our love are with those women involved and I hope they can find some peace in having shared their story.
“I’ve spoken to Stephen McGuinness via the PFAI, who I’ve sent a message to get to the girls. I haven’t spoken to them individually.
“I know it’s a very sensitive time as well and like I said I just hope they all know that we fully support them. Our thoughts are with them in terms of that documentary going out.
“Like I said, it was really difficult to watch so I can only imagine how hard it was for them to re-live those sort of emotions. The strength and the courage they showed has been unbelievable. As I said, our full support is with all those girls.”
