World Cup and Olympic star Nicci Daly announces retirement after 200 Ireland caps

“I won’t miss the sore body and aching joints, but I will miss the team and the feeling of walking out to represent my country. 200 appearances and every single time I got butterflies when the national anthem played,” said Daly

Nicci Daly (left) leads Ireland celebrations after qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by beating Canada in November 2019. Picture: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Nicci Daly has announced her retirement from international hockey following 200 caps and playing a dynamic role in the Green Army’s golden period since making her debut in 2010.

It included that famous 2018 World Cup silver medal, five European Championships, and this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo while her goal against South Africa in 2015 in Valencia will be forever remembered as one of the greatest ever in an Irish outfit.