Republic of Ireland soccer player Savannah McCarthy was hospitalized with serious leg injuries after being involved in a two-vehicle collision near the Kerry-Limerick border on Sunday evening.
The accident occurred around 8:15 p.m. on the N69 road near Glin, just inside County Limerick.
McCarthy, a Shamrock Rovers Ladies player and native of Listowel, was one of three people injured in the crash.
Reports indicate that locals pulled the 27-year-old from the wreckage as her vehicle caught fire following the collision. The second vehicle involved, an SUV, had two male occupants, both of whom were also injured.
Republic of Ireland soccer star and Listowel native Savannah McCarthy at the Republic of Ireland training session in Budapest in 2023. Photo: Sportsfile
All three individuals, including McCarthy, were transported to University Hospital Limerick for treatment.
McCarthy, who has been capped ten times for the Republic of Ireland, is a former Gaelic footballer who played for Kerry at the minor level before focusing on her soccer career.
She began her soccer journey with Listowel Celtic and is currently playing for Shamrock Rovers, where she has made ten appearances this season.
The talented defender was expected to represent Ireland in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup but was sidelined due to an injury.
She previously played for Glasgow City, where she contributed to the club’s 11th consecutive league title win, before returning to Ireland in 2018 to sign with Cork City.
McCarthy earned Player of the Year honours in her first season at Cork and spent three years with Galway WFC before joining Shamrock Rovers in 2023.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Garda Press Office confirmed that Gardaí responded to the scene of the crash and are now appealing for witnesses.
Authorities ask road users or pedestrians in the area between 7:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. and may have camera footage, including dash-cam recordings, to assist with the investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Newcastle West Garda Station at (069) 20650, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
