Ireland’s Sophie MacMahon announces retirement from representative cricket

Ireland all-rounder Sophie MacMahon has announced her retirement from representative cricket. The 28-year-old, who made 45 appearances for Ireland, last played in a T20I against Zimbabwe in July this year.

MacMahon made her international debut in an ODI against England in 2017 and went on to pick up 21 wickets across ODIs and T20Is. One of her standout performances came in T20Is against Thailand, where she produced an impressive spell of 2/13, showcasing her skill and control with the ball.

“It is a tough decision to decide to retire but I feel like the time is right for me. I have given so much of my life to cricket and representing my country in the sport I love will be something I’ll always treasure. My dream as a child was to be a professional cricketer and I never believed that dream would come true, so I feel very fortunate,” said MacMahon as quoted by ICC.

“I’m extremely thankful to all the staff and coaches at Cricket Ireland for their support over the years, especially the support staff I worked with in the women’s programme. I would also like to thank my family for their support and encouragement throughout my cricket journey. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had while playing for Ireland, in particular the places I’ve got to visit and the people I’ve met. The best part about my journey has been my teammates along the way and I will miss being part of such an incredible squad – but I know I’ve made friends for life.” she added.

Ireland captain Gaby Lewis praised the vital role MacMahon has played in the national setup since her debut and extended her best wishes for the future. MacMahon was among the first seven Ireland Women players to receive full-time central contracts in 2019, marking a significant step in her career and in Irish women’s cricket.

She will also step away from domestic representative cricket in the Evoke Super Series, bringing an end to her competitive domestic journey. However, MacMahon will continue to remain active in the game, as she plans to keep playing club cricket for Leinster Cricket Club.

“Sophie has been a crucial part of our squad for the last eight years. She’s been with this group through a major transitional period and has played a big role in shaping the team we are today. We’ll miss not only her cricketing ability, but also her personality and the care she’s always shown for the people around her. I know I can speak on behalf of the whole team when I say she’ll be greatly missed, and we wish her all the very best in her next chapter,” said MacMohan.