Cork City captain Zara Foley steps away from football 

BRAVE DECISION: Zara Foley in action for Cork City against Peamount United. Pic: Larry Cummins.

Cork City women's captain Zara Foley has made the decision to step away from football.

21-year-old Foley has made the difficult decision to leave her role as club captain amid ongoing knee trouble.

Foley - who has one senior Irish cap to her name - had undergone surgery earlier this year and, despite working tirelessly to get back to playing with the Rebel Army, the injury didn’t enable her to reach full playing capacity.

After advice from specialists at home in Cork as well as in London, Foley notified her Cork City colleagues of her decision at training on Wendnesday night.  

Speaking on her decision, Foley said: “I just want to thank everyone who has supported me over the last few years but especially these last few months. My time at City has been a truly unforgettable experience. 

"I want to wish everyone associated with the club the very best for the future.” 

City boss Danny Murphy added: “I’m gutted for Zara, as she still had so much to give to the game. Myself and the girls were hoping for her to be back, we all know how much of a loss she has been this season. 

"She has been brilliant for me and the staff since we came in and her advice and leadership is the best I’ve had the pleasure of coaching. 

"She was appointed as club captain this pre-season and I’m sad that she didn’t get to lead the team in that role."

Murphy noted his desire to have Foley stick around as part of the coaching staff at the club.

“We have asked Zara to stay on and become a member of our coaching staff, her passion and application to the game will help our younger players to get where she had been and that we felt she could reach again, a full Ireland international”