Injury returnee McCarthy reflects on missed World Cup milestone 

BACK IN GREEN: Savannah McCarthy. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Three commutes per week from Kerry to Dublin tests the resolve of Savannah McCarthy but she’s used to putting in the hard yards.

Back in the Ireland squad following a year out with a serious knee injury, the defender could make her Ireland comeback in Saturday’s Nations League opener against Northern Ireland.

A lot has changed since the Kerry native had her 25th birthday ruined by the prognosis of the knee injury she damaged while playing for Galway against her former club DLR Waves.

Shamrock Rovers have returned to the national league and she’s joined the voyage – despite the time commitments - to resume semi-professional status.

The Ireland team she helped begin the World Cup campaign in style in late 2021 finished the job by qualifying for the tournament in Australia.

That was only half the story, for the winless campaign Down Under was tainted by infighting between Vera Pauw and her staff.

Ireland’s most successful manager was informed by the FAI that her contract wasn’t being renewed, creating an opening for one of McCarthy’s former managers to assume caretaker charge.

“It’s great that Eilo is back in,” beamed the Listowel native about Eileen Gleeson.

“She managed me at club level a few years ago and was Vera’s assistant as well. She knows a lot of the team.” 

McCarthy was technically back playing prior to the summer World Cup, yet not deemed ready for the rigours of the greatest show in the women’s game.

Mental barriers, as well as physical, had to be overcome to regain the levels that had earned an international recall by Pauw four years on from her international breakthrough. Watching the World Cup from afar was difficult too.

“I suppose mentally it was really tough for me,” she confirms. “In women's football, the ACL is common but it wasn't just that with me. It was medial and lateral ligaments as well, pretty much everything bar my meniscus. I did everything - a freak accident in a challenge and not a tackle. I collided with my goalkeeper.

“It was 14 months before I played a club game. Coming back, it was 15 minutes in one game, 20 minutes the next, just building it up, I think I was a few games in before I had 90 minutes but Vera didn't think I was ready and that was fair enough.

“It would be harder if you are involved with the girls in the lead-up and get an injury like that.

“I was their No. 1 supporter, watching all the games on TV.” 

Now, she’s intent on being a participant rather than an observer. The road to the 2025 Euros begins and McCarthy is at a club in the mix for a domestic double.

“I drive up from Kerry three times per week and usually stay over Friday night for our matches the next day,” she said of her ritual.

“In that professional environment I felt I could get back to myself and be 100% fit. But I didn't think the Ireland call would come this soon.

“I’m always confident. Under Vera, I played as one of the three centre-back. We don’t know yet what system will be played but I can play a number of positions, even left-back at Rovers.

“I’ll just concentrate on my own game and see what happens.”

Meanwhile, West Ham United's Izzy Atkinson is to link up with Gleeson's squad following the injury withdrawal of Ruesha Littlejohn.