Diane Caldwell's influence and leadership will be missed as she hangs up her Irish boots

Her strides at club level accorded her status, trekking from her native Balbriggan to USA, Norway, Germany, England as Manchester United’s first Irish female player and finally Switzerland.

RETIREMENT: Republic of Ireland captain Diane Caldwell has announced her retirement. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

She always stood out and believed in standing tall, did Diane Caldwell.

Sitting among a coterie of cubs at CityWest Hotel ahead of her first senior Ireland trip to Portugal, the teen didn’t hesitate to volunteer when the group were asked who’d be prepared to face the media.