HARRISON, N.J. – Gotham FC midfielder Sinead Farrelly will make her Women’s World Cup debut this summer as a member of the Republic of Ireland team.
More than six years after announcing her retirement from professional soccer in 2016, Farrelly made a return to the game by joining Gotham FC as a 2023 preseason training camp non-roster invitee. She earned her way onto the roster and signed a contract with the club in March.
This year, she has appeared in 11 regular-season National Women’s Soccer League games, four as a starter. Her assist in Gotham FC’s May 7 game contributed to the team’s 2-1 victory over the Chicago Red Stars.
“Sinead has become an important part of our roster and our club,” Gotham FC head coach Juan Carlos Amoros said in a statement. “It is a credit to her ability, her commitment, and how she reads the game. Every day, she puts in the hard work, and I am especially proud that she is being rewarded with the opportunity to play in the World Cup. She has earned this.”
The Havertown, Pa. native has Irish heritage through her father, Sean, who was born in Ireland. She received her first call-up to the Irish side for two April friendlies against the U.S. women’s national team, and earned a start the April 8 match. Farrelly’s previous international experience included roster spots with the U.S. Under-17, U-20, and U-23 teams.
Farrelly has accumulated three goals and three assists over 63 NWSL regular season appearances. She played for Kansas City in the league’s inaugural 2013 season and with the Portland Thorns in 2014 and 2015.
“We have had the great privilege to watch Sinead return to the game she loves,” Gotham general manager Yael Averbuch West said in a statement. “She has always had the talent to get to the World Cup, but her determination and strength are why she has made it back to the NWSL and ultimately onto the international stage. We are incredibly proud of her, and all of us at Gotham FC will be cheering her on.”
Farrelly excelled at the University of Virginia, where she was twice named a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top college soccer player. In her senior season, she recorded 12 goals and seven assists in 22 games. Farrelly was named Atlantic Coast Conference offensive player of the year, NSCAA first team All American, and UVA’s top female athlete for the 2010-11 season.
