Ireland striker Julie-Ann Russell retires from football 

The Galway United forward is hanging up her boots. 

LEGACY: Julie-Ann Russell carved out an excellent career. Pic: INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Julie-Ann Russell has called time on her football career, the FAI have announced. 

The Galway native earned 66 caps for the senior national team, while she was twice selected as SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division Player of the Year (2014 & 2024).

“After 24 incredible years, the time has come to step away from football" 33-year-old Russell says. "The game has been a central part of my life, providing unforgettable memories and opportunities that I will never forget.

“There are so many people who have had such a positive influence on my career - family, teammates, coaches, managers, volunteers and fans. It would be impossible to name everyone, but please know that I sincerely appreciate everything you’ve done to help me live my dream.

“While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I’m excited for the next chapter and will forever cherish the memories football has given me.”

After initially breaking through at Salthill Devon, the skilful attacker – who hails from Moycullen – went on to excel in college football with University of Limerick and UCD before enjoying spells in United States (Los Angeles Strikers), England (Doncaster Rovers Belles) and Australia (Sydney University, Western Sydney Wanderers) in between stints playing in Ireland.

Russell was part of the League-winning Peamount United squad in 2012 and helped UCD Waves finish as runners-up in 2015 before ending her career with her hometown club, Galway United.

At international level, Russell made her senior WNT debut in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Qualifier away to Kazakhstan in October 2009 having previously represented Ireland at Under-15, U-16, U-17 and U-19 level.

Russell scored the first of her seven senior goals in an Algarve Cup victory over Hungary in March 2012 before going on to score against Israel, Slovakia, Slovenia, England, France and Georgia

Voted as FAI Senior Women’s Player of the Year in 2014, Russell was a regular in squads up to 2020 when she then missed four years of international football. Upon her return to the WNT set-up in July 2024, she scored three goals in six games and was twice voted as Sky Ireland Player of the Match.

FAI Chief Football Officer Marc Canham said: “Julie-Ann is a special player who will be remembered for her excellent performances, goals and assists in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division and for Ireland, where she will rightly be remembered as one of our finest players. We thank her for everything that she has done for Irish football.”