'I just never wanted to believe that it would have come this soon' - Megan Campbell announces retirement

"Football has been my life for over 25 years. It has given me so many amazing opportunities, allowed me to travel the world and to meet some of the best people. It has helped me to become the person I am today."

Tue, 14 Oct, 2025 - 11:56

Desk

Republic of Ireland defender Megan Campbell has announced her retirement from football following a successful international and club career.

Campbell made 57 appearance in an Irish shirt. She made her WNT debut in August 2011 when introduced in the 68th minute against Switzerland in an International Friendly in Richmond Park. She made her first senior start in the Uefa Women's European Championship qualifier loss to France in Cork the following month. Her first goal came against Northern Ireland in the Cyprus Cup win in March 2013.

The Drogheda native scored four senior goals (also netting against Costa Rica in 2015, Northern Ireland in 2017 and Morocco in 2022) and earned her 50th cap in May 2024 against Sweden in the Uefa Women's European Championship qualifier in the Aviva Stadium.

In 2017 she was nominated for the Senior Women's International Player of the Year and went on to play a key role in helping the WNT qualify for the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup which she missed due to injury.

Campbell started her senior football with St Francis before joining Raheny United in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Divison where her talent stood out.

In the 2012/13 season she help Raheny Utd to their first League of Ireland title, the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup and was named in the Team of the Season.

The athletic defender was already a star at international level at this stage after scoring the only goal in the 2010 Uefa Women's European U17 Championship semi-final win over Germany to reach the final where Ireland went on to lose in a penalty shootout to Spain. She went on to score against Ghana in the 2010 Fifa U17 World CUp as the Girls in Green made it to the quarter-finals.

After a period in SETU Carlow, Campbell enjoyed a successful college career with Florida State University in the United States before joining Manchester City in 2016 where she won the FA Women's Cup in 2020.

She was part of the Liverpool and London City Lionessess who won promotion to the English Women's Super League and featured with Everton in between.

Campbell broke the Guinness World Record in April 2025 for the longest throw-in for a female footballer after launching a ball over 37.55 metres. It was a skill she used regularly throughout her career.

Speaking on her retirement Campbell said “It’s been a while coming.. but it’s something that I’ve struggled accepting for a long time now.

“Unfortunately, I knew that playing the sport I love, and have given everything to, would have to end some day. I just never wanted to believe that it would have come this soon.

“To my family… Thank you for your support and love. You gave me advice, held me accountable & always encouraged me to push myself. You had my back and believed in me even when I didn’t. You dedicated your lives to my success, following wherever I went in the world and allowed me to pursue my goals. I’ll be forever grateful to you for that.

“To all my coaches back home in both Drogheda and Dublin, as a kid I could have only ever dreamed of getting a chance to play football as a career and to represent my national team on the biggest stages. You were the first ones to give me a chance to play, to enjoy the freedom of expressing myself, to find my voice and build my confidence, and to take those lessons with me throughout my entire footballing journey. Thank you.

“To my teammates, I’ve had the pleasure of playing with across three countries. Thank you for your dedication and commitment; you not only made a massive impact on me, but on the sport itself. So many young girls around the world went on to play our beautiful game because of you. You pushed me beyond what I thought was possible and helped pull me through some of my darkest days off the pitch.

“To my coaches at a professional level, thank you for placing your trust in me. You gave me an opportunity to experience some of the highest highs in this sport. You listened, gave advice and valued me as a person and then as a player. You taught me lessons that I will try to pass on to the next generations of young girls wanting to play football at the highest level. Your dedication and commitment to the women’s game has helped to transform the sport and given fantastic opportunities to many people.

“To all those who have helped shape my career and push me beyond my limits, you know who you are.. thank you.

“To Ireland, this is the hardest one to accept. Representing a beautiful nation of people with a passion and determination to fight for their country and for one another meant more than anything to me. For those who came before and drove its existence, to those who stand present today lucky enough to pull on the jersey and to those yet to do so, I envy you.

“Representing my country was the single biggest achievement in life. It is an honour that is above all else for me and my family. Every time I got to have that number 3 on my back, to sing Amhrán na bhFiann, to play alongside such committed teammates, to show that Ireland can compete with any nation and to test myself against world class players, it meant so much. It is what I’ll miss the most.

“To the fans, the sport is nothing without you. You are the reason it continues to thrive and a big part of why players succeed. You follow through the good and bad times, dedicate your time and money to come and support our game. Thank you. I’m grateful to now be one of you.

“Trophies won, memories made and friends to last a lifetime. This is the greatest sport in the world and I am so lucky to have got to play it for as long as I have.

“To the young girl who had a dream.. you made it! I’m so glad that I believed in myself, pushed my body and mind beyond all limits, and kept going because it was worth it. I’m proud of that little girl and I’m proud of the woman that she became.”

FAI Director of Football John Martin said “Megan was a stand-out player for Ireland from when she first pulled on the green jersey at underage level and will be remembered for her commitment, skill and passion.

"After starting her club career in the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division, she went on to achieve great success for club and country - always showcasing a desire to be the best that she can be and inspiring girls to do the same. A brilliant player and a fantastic ambassador for Irish football."

FAI President Paul Cooke added “On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, I’d like to thank Megan for her brilliant career and service to the Ireland Women’s National Team since making her debut in 2011.

"A brilliant defender, a leader and someone who put the fear into every opposing team with her incredible long throw-in, she always made a big impact on games. We look forward to honouring her at an upcoming international game.”