Former Ireland striker Zambra announces retirement

The Puskas Award nominee  will play her final competitive match on Saturday when Shamrock Rovers face Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium.

CALLING IT A DAY: Stephanie Zambra during a Republic of Ireland home-based training session at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Former Ireland international and FIFA Puskas Award nominee Stephanie Zambra has announced her retirement from the game.

The striker will play her final competitive match of a distinguished career on Saturday when Shamrock Rovers line out in their last Women’s Premier Division game of the season against Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium.

That game will bring to a close a playing career that saw Zambra shine for both club and country. During her time at international level with Ireland, she earned 58 international caps with the Girls in Green, scoring 14 times. She was a huge influence on and off the pitch – she was one of the players who took part in the team protest at Liberty Hall in 2017 when Ireland players won their battle for improved working conditions for those playing for the women’s international side.

In the domestic game, she was top scorer in the inaugural season of the Women’s National League in 2011/12 as she helped Peamount United to the title. She also led the scoring in the 2013/14 league campaign, in a season when her sensational viral goal against Wexford Youths earned her second place in the FIFA Puskás Award.

Her club career brought her to France (Albi), America (Houston Dash), England (Sunderland) and Italy (Florentia) before she returned to Peamount United, winning the league and cup double in 2020, scoring twice in the FAI Cup Final and winning player of the match.

She will pull on a jersey for the final time this Saturday, with Rovers encouraging as many fans as possible to come along to say goodbye, offering free admission to all at Tallaght Stadium (Kick off 4:30pm).