In 2022, one in five girls in Ireland dropped out of sport between primary and post-primary school, compared to one in 20 boys. Among the many reasons for this, a lack of representation stands out. That’s why we’ve chosen to highlight the journeys of five Irish LGBTQ+ women in sport who’ve helped pave the way for others.

Jackie McCarthy O’Brien
When Jackie McCarthy O’Brien started playing football, it wasn’t planned. She was jogging in a park when a ball came her way. She sent it back, and the manager asked her to join. The rest, they say, is history. She played in her early years with girls who were much older than her. In 1983, she became the first player of colour called up to the Irish national team, going on to earn 13 caps. However, her journey was unjustly cut short. After being sexually harassed by a coach, she was never selected again. She switched to rugby at 33, played for Munster, and represented Ireland at the 1998 World Cup. Today, she’s a trailblazer for both people of colour and LGBTQ+ athletes.

Lindsay Peat
Lindsay Peat got into basketball at 13, thanks to her mother. She went on to represent Ireland in basketball and soccer, and played Gaelic football at county level. After losing the 2014 All-Ireland final with Dublin, she turned to rugby. Just eight games later, she made her international debut. Peat played in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup and was named Ireland Women’s Player of the Year. She struggled with her sexual identity growing up and has faced homophobia, but sport helped her embrace who she is. She’s become a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and was an ambassador for the 2019 Union Cup, where she stressed the importance of having queer women’s teams to help people accept their identity.

Nora Stapleton
Nora Stapleton, from Donegal, was told as a child that girls weren’t allowed to play rugby, so she focused on GAA and soccer. In 2007, after a casual tag rugby game with colleagues, she returned to the sport and quickly rose through the ranks. Within two years at the Old Belvedere, she was playing for Leinster and, soon after, the national team. Between 2010 and 2017, she earned 50 caps and helped win the 2013 and 2015 Six Nations. Off the pitch, she worked for the Irish Rugby Football Union and now promotes women’s participation through Sport Ireland.

Here in @sportireland we created the campaign @hermoves_ie to inspire, support and motivate teen girls to take part in sport. A key objective: to introduce girls to other sports and grow a more positive attitude towards sport. The video below highlights the impact of Her Moves. https://t.co/aGeRGeEwsy

— Nora Stapleton (@NoraStapleton) March 6, 2024

Hannah Tyrrell
Hannah Tyrrell joined the Dublin Ladies’ football team at 12. At the same time, she began struggling with eating disorders, which continued through her teens. Sport became a vital escape and healing space. While studying at Trinity, she played soccer and futsal, then switched to rugby in 2013. Just six months after joining Old Belvedere, she joined the national sevens team. She later earned 60 caps with the 15s squad, playing in the Six Nations and for Leinster. After retiring from rugby in 2021, she returned to Gaelic football, winning an All-Ireland with Dublin, and now teaches history. She also became an ambassador for RPI Tackle Your Feelings wellbeing campaign and for Pieta House. 

 

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Katie McCabe
Katie McCabe, the youngest captain of Ireland’s national football team, started playing with boys and girls before joining Raheny United. At 20, she signed with Arsenal and earned her first international cap. Two years later, she was named captain. She’s made history as the first Irish woman nominated for the Ballon d’Or and has been a driving force for equality. Thanks to her and Séamus Coleman’s advocacy, the Football Association of Ireland introduced equal pay for men’s and women’s teams in 2021. Openly lesbian, McCabe has spoken about the more accepting environment in women’s football compared to the men’s game.

 

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These five Irish LGBTQ+ women have changed the game, helping to create a better sporting world for everyone. To our delight, more and more inspiring queer women are emerging across the country.