Katie McCabe only scores bangers. Whether lobbing goalkeepers from 40 yards or ploughing volleys into the top corner, the Ireland international has built a deserved reputation for having a left-foot that is at once, jackhammer and paintbrush.
Even by McCabe’s lofty standards, today’s full-toss volley into the top corner was special. Arseblog News caught up with Katie post-match and asked where the strike ranges in her personal pantheon.
“I think it’s up there, aye!” she laughs. “Funnily enough, it was Steph (Catley) taking the corners today because of how Liverpool were set up so I was hanging around the edge of the box for once, because usually I’m taking them.
“It was great to get on the end of it, it’s definitely one of the best I’ve scored. The ball just hung and it was begging to be hit and I was delighted to get such a good connection on it.”
Where do we sign up for @Katie_McCabe11's Bangers 101 class?#WomensFACuppic.twitter.com/5rHrYVuFrk
— Vitality Women's FA Cup (@VitalityWFACup) February 27, 2022
I ask Katie, given her range of golaços, whether shooting is something she practices a lot. “Not really, I am an attacking player growing up and I was always in the final third of the pitch and I worked on developing that part of my game when I was younger in Ireland, scoring goals, linking up and I have been further back in the last few seasons but if I get the ball on the edge of the box I’ll always give it a smack.”
McCabe also provided a lovely back flick assist for Caitlin Foord to score a very nice long range effort of her own shortly after McCabe’s goal. I ask Katie whether that interchanging of positions with Caitlin and Mana Iwabuchi factored in the team’s game plan today.
“To be honest, no. We were trying to be disciplined because we know Liverpool are a man-marking team and I think it was just a switch of play and I told Caitlin to stay out wide. We saw what she was doing against Chelsea (when she started on the left-wing) we know how good she is from there. When I fill in in the centre I just have to channel my inner-Miedema!”
This season, McCabe has swapped between left-back and the left-wing, today she played in the latter position with Catley behind her, a combination we have seen many times this season.
Katie says that their relationship is developing nicely, “Liverpool play with wing-backs and it was important to ask the question of the wing-backs whether to push on to Steph or stay with me. That double wide position suited us well today.
“We like to vary it up, sometimes I will come inside a little and it will leave space for Mana to go wider, I think we had a good few intricate moves together in the first half. But I really enjoy playing with Steph on that left-hand-side. It’s a good balance I think.”
McCabe missed the Chelsea game through suspension after a red card against Manchester United and, shortly before, missed the FA Cup tie with London City Lionesses after reaching five yellow cards for the season.
I ask Katie whether she has spoken with the manager about her recent disciplinary issues, “I’m Irish, my nature is to have that aggression in my game! I think the fans love that and that is who I am.
“Some of the situations I have got myself into have been up to me and it’s up to me to adapt and learn to get myself into better situations by making quicker decisions and getting into positions earlier. I’m looking to do that and maybe making better relationships with referees!”
McCabe has been a big supporter of this site and very generous with her time for Arseblog over the years. Unprompted, she is aware that Sunday marks the 20th anniversary of the site and leaves with a message.
“I know it’s Arseblog’s 20th anniversary and I wanted to say congratulations to you guys and everything you do for us, it’s absolutely brilliant, you put us on the map.
“All those years I have seen you at games and you guys have travelled here today again and we really appreciate it. And you’re based in Dublin too, that’s why I like yous!”
Another cracking goal from the brilliant Katie McCabe!
I’m relatively new to Arseblog myself but may I echo McCabe’s comments about the site, supporting the team just wouldn’t be the same without it. Thank you to everyone involved for all your hard work.
Cracking strike Katie…..and Caitlin.
This squad is back. Great timing for the season’s run-in.
Dear Katie,
Please can you come and play for the men’s team 😉
“the Ireland international has built a deserved reputation for having a left-foot that is at once, jackhammer and paintbrush.”
It’s poetry like this that puts Arseblog on a different level entirely.
Nice touch to see the LFC fans behind the goal applaud the strike
Fantastic strike.
Excellent Arseblog shoutout!
Katie please could you come and Thomas partey some shooting lessons
Kepa of Chelsea has bagged that one. Just seen his penalty go over my house.
Super goal. Not smacked, just glided into the net.