Northern Ireland and Cliftonville midfielder Marissa Callaghan has been named in The King’s New Year Honours list for services to football and the community.
A treble winner with Cliftonville this year and capped a total of 91 times for her country, she announced in May that she would step down after eight years as Irish captain.
Callaghan told irishfa.com: “I am both shocked and delighted to receive an MBE. Being honoured for my passion and love for football is truly amazing.
“I feel incredibly lucky for the opportunities, experiences and lessons the game has given me, and I am especially grateful to have had a positive impact on so many young people’s lives in Northern Ireland. I will continue to strive to be a role model for them.
“Thank you to the person who took the time to nominate me. This means the world to me and my family.”
Irish FA Director of Women’s Football Angela Platt said: “This is testament to Marissa’s impact on women’s and girls’ football in Northern Ireland over many years.
“The work she is currently doing on our new women and girls strategy demonstrates her ongoing passion for the game she has done so much to promote.”
