Well, folks, the time has come. After 11 seasons at Louisville City, I have decided to call time on my career and retire from football.
As long as I can remember, I have been obsessed with this game. Football was such a big part of my childhood, and I was very lucky I had people around me to allow that passion grow. Family, friends and neighbors were all willing to have a kick about or come down to the park to watch as a kid. They brought out the competitive side of me from an early age and put me on a good path.
There’s so many people who helped me get to where I wanted to go, and I will always be grateful.
To my Ma & Da, thank you for supporting me and buying me all the newest jerseys and boots growing up. It couldn’t have been easy watching me leave Ireland as a teenager, but you knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
To my siblings and extended family, thanks putting up with me wanting to join in games of World Cup and constantly having football on the tele. Thank you for staying up late to watch games and being a soundboard when I needed it. There’s so many little things that just kept me driven — FIFA Fridays being an example.
To the staff and players at Louisville past and present, thank you for making me better. I’ll miss the intensity and competition we had on the daily. I know sometimes I was probably a bit much, but I just wanted to win. Everyone says it, but I’ll miss the changing room just as much — all the ping pong, games of mafia and Left Right Center. Enjoy the little things because it goes by in a flash.
To Mark, Ciaran and Deano at Young Harris, I appreciate you taking a chance on me. We had some great times, and I hope that I was able to repay the faith.
To Danny and Jim at Coláiste Íde, thank you for putting the idea of America in my head and believing in my abilities.
To the LouCity board and owners, your commitment to winning and being the best aligned perfectly with my own mindset. To see what you’ve built in such a short time is remarkable.
To the fans who spent hard-earned money to watch me play games, I appreciate you showing up in the freezing cold or the blistering heat. You created an incredible environment for me to play in and stuck with me from Slugger Field onward to Lynn Family Stadium.
Finally to my wife, you’ve given me so much and given up some too in order for me to be successful. I hope you know how much I appreciate you and all that you do for me and the kids.
Eleven years for number 11 is a nice way to end it. I’ve loved every minute of this journey and have experienced some amazing things along the way. So thank you, football. It’s been a pleasure.
– Niall McCabe
