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Inside Katie McCabe’s swanky birthday dinner with Caitlin Foord as Arsenal duo have two reasons to celebrate

KATIE McCabe had two reasons to celebrate as she enjoyed a birthday dinner with partner Caitlin Foord.

The Republic of Ireland captain turned 29 on Saturday, a day before she lined out for Arsenal in their Women‘s Super League clash against Manchester City.

two female soccer players one wearing an emirates fly better jersey
Katie McCabe had a dream birthday weekend both on and off the pitch
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
two women sitting next to each other with one wearing a shirt that says ' jack ' on it
Instagram/katie_mccabe11
She enjoyed her 29th birthday with girlfriend Caitlin Foord[/caption]

The Dubliner toasted her 29th birthday by going out to dinner with partner and club teammate Caitlin Foord at Amazonico London.

And when it came to the game against the Citizens, McCabe left her mark as she played an integral role in Beth Mead‘s dramatic equaliser in a 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.

She shared a photo of herself and Foord during the dinner date to Instagram, alongside a message to Gunners fans.

McCabe said: “up and running in red & thank you all for the birthday love x”

Among the plethora of birthday messages that McCabe shared on Saturday was from Foord herself.

It featured a beautiful collage of pics from their time together – including snaps from their trip to Rome in May.

Both women again figure to be central players for The Gunners during the forthcoming season.

And the Tallaght-native – who was Player of the Match against Man City – showed her worth in helping Jonas Eidevall’s men salvaging a 2-2 draw.

After putting in a typically crunching tackle on Chloe Kelly, the City and England player was pinned down by Arsenal midfielder Kim Little.

This allowed McCabe to hurdle the mass of humanity with the ball at her feet and feed Rosa Kafaji, whose strike hit the post before Beth Mead equalised in front of 41,000 people.

A delighted Eidevall said of the Irishwoman: “She had a very solid game.

“It is a great piece of skill on our second goal to set up that situation. Steph Catley not being available, you see how reliable Katie is and has been for us, being able to put in big shifts.”

It was a contrast to City manager Graham Taylor, who insisted McCabe had fouled Kelly.

He said: “Both the fourth official and the linesman indicated to the radio they agreed it was a foul.

“Especially the tackle from behind, we were told it was a dangerous tackle – regardless if you get the ball or not. We feel a bit aggrieved on that, but it happens.”

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Фрази, які потрібно викинути з власного лексикону

Чим більше ви вселяєте собі, що у вас нічого не вийде, тим вища ймовірність, що так і станеться. Ось фрази, які не можна говорити собі, щоб не втратити шансів на успіх. Актуально як для жінок, так і для чоловіків. «Я ідіот» Втретє переробляєте важливий проєкт? Не виходить розібратися, що написано в підручнику? Вирішили зайнятися програмуванням […]

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I’m an unemployed ex-Arsenal star… I’m training with little-known, hand-picked squad in desperate bid to find new club

A FORMER Arsenal star has lifted the lid on their bid to find a new club.

The defender, 32, played 70 times for the Gunners between 2011 and 2019.

a group of soccer players are running on a field
Instagram / the_pfa
The former Arsenal star has taken part in a PFA scheme for free agents[/caption]

After three loan moves away from the Emirates he left permanently five years ago, landing a switch to Nottingham Forest.

He last played in English football for the Tricky Trees in 2021, before heading Down Under to continue his career in the A-League.

Following three years in Australia, the Harlow-born ace is back in the UK as a free agent, and is determined to prove his fitness to a prospective new club.

He recently sat down with former England goalkeeper Ben Foster on the “Fozcast” to describe his search for a new club, and how he has kept fit while training with a whole squad of free agents.

During their conversation, Carl Jenkinson admitted that he stumbled into the PFA scheme while training with pal and ex-Brentford centre-back Charlie Goode.

“I didn’t know about it until about five weeks in,” he admitted. “It was just through word of mouth.

“One of the lads I was training with on my own, who used to play for Brentford, Charlie Goode, who’s now at Stevenage – he just said to me one day as we were doing a session with a coach ‘have you heard about this PFA programme?’

“I didn’t know anything about it. He said ‘I’ll send you over the details tonight’ and started explaining what it was all about.

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a man sitting in front of a microphone with the foxcast logo behind him
YouTube
Jenkinson, 32, opened up to Ben Foster[/caption]
a soccer player wearing a purple jersey with the word xerox on it
Rex
Charlie Goode went on to sign for Stevenage[/caption]

“It was literally the next day I said ‘look, I’ve read through all the details, it sounds unbelievable,’ It’s exactly what we need.

“I said ‘Chaz, you need to be there as well’. So we both, literally the day after, went up there.”

Foster, who retired last year following a spell at Wrexham, then explained that to be part of the PFA scheme you have to be a footballer, member of the union, and out of contract to be eligible to join up with the squad.

It was then pointed out that the squad is 30-strong, and that with around 600 professional footballers released in England every year, the process is not that simple.

Jenkinson continued: “It’s not if you apply, you’re in. It’s an application process.”

He then revealed that the CEO had told him that the camp was aimed more at experienced pros, rather than those that had been released straight from academies.

Goode, 29, went on to sign for League One Stevenage on August 5, and has since gone on to make six appearances in all competitions.

But Jenkinson, who earned one England cap in 2012, remains without a club.

With the PFA scheme having finished, the full-back revealed that he is still training and keeping fit as he hopes to return to the game.

Who are these famous footballers?

Jenkinson then admitted that clubs are more focused on recruiting young players, and that he would have liked the PFA camp to extend beyond the end of the summer transfer window.

When Foster pointed out that clubs are looking to sign players aged, “30, 31, 32 max” – Jenkinson replied: “I’d actually say less.

“Just from feedback I’ve had from clubs, not just for myself, but for some of my mates – you’re talking 27 these days.

“One of my pals was talking to a Premier League club, and they were like ‘we don’t sign players over 27’.

During his time at Arsenal, Jenkinson won the FA Cup in 2014.

He also picked up silverware Down Under, winning the A-League Premiership with Melbourne City.

a man in a fly emirates shirt holds up a trophy
Jenkinson won the FA Cup with Arsenal in 2014
News Group Newspapers Ltd

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The autumn sunshine spot 3 hours from Dublin with temps of 24C, surfing and buzzing nightlife

TAKE a look at the stunning autumn sunshine spot just three hours from Dublin – with 24C heat, surfing and a buzzing nightlife scene.

The town was named one of the Best Tourism Villages by the UN World Tourism Organisation last year and continues to impress visitors to this day.

a view of a beach from the top of a cliff
Ericeira Beach along the Atlantic Ocean
Getty Images - Getty
a small town sits on a cliff overlooking the ocean
Fishing village of Ericeira Portugal has some insane views along the coast
Getty Images - Getty
a white building with a green awning that says pizzeria
The historical architecture is unique to the area
Getty Images - Getty

In a small seaside community in western Portugal lies one of only two European spots in the World Surfing Reserves known for its exceptional coastline conditions. 

Ericeira is a traditional Portuguese fishing village located just 40km northwest of the busy capital city Lisbon.

With highs of 24C this month and the promise of remaining in the low 20s throughout October, this is the perfect location to catch the last of the European sunshine.

The quaint town is known for its narrow cobblestone streets, local culture, fishing, cuisine and the bold Atlantic views.

It’s proximity to the Atlantic and the surf make this town a great place to visit.

Food lovers can enjoy endless great restaurants and cosy cafes to feast on the local fresh sea food and typical Portuguese delicacies such as the pastel de nata. 

The area is known for its affordability and versatility, with not only amazing Portuguese cuisine.

You’ll also find many non-Portuguese restaurants from pizza to sushi and multiple places for a quick bite between the surf sessions.

If night-life is what you are after, the town is home to plenty of cool bars to spend your evenings in.

And even a nightclub called ‘Ouriço’ where the party continues until dawn.

With flights from Dublin starting as low as €27 and taking just two hours and 50 minutes to get there, this location is ideal for all sea lovers.

From Lisbon airport it is just a 30 minute drive to the centre of Ericeira.

The village is famous for being the second World Surfing Reserve – a program that protects waves, surf zones and surrounding environments.

Although surfing is not the only water sport that you can enjoy in this village.

Visitors can also practice many other water sports such as fishing or stand up paddle boarding.  

And even if you are more suited to land based activities, there is something for everyone here.

Mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking or skateboarding are just a few of the activities to check out.

And to keep your body and mind fit you can take yoga classes or visit the spa in town.

Some 25 km outside of Ericeira you can find the UNESCO World Heritage town of Sintra, also known as the town of the fairytale castles.

It is located within the Sintra mountains and right next to the Sintra-Cascais natural park.

Only 10 km from Ericeira is the Palace of Mafra, one of the biggest palaces in Europe that was built by the King John V in the 18th century and is said to have nearly bankrupted the whole nation!

The Mafra Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2020 and is bursting with history.

Although even if you choose to stay in the centre of Ericeira town, there is still an abundance of history within the old towns walls waiting to be explored.

Five more autumn spots to visit

HERE are five more destinations to soak up the last of the year's sunshine.

  1. Gran Canaria is just one of the very many options, boasting a “very mild winter” each year. Located on one of Spain’s Canary Islands, off northwestern Africa, Gran Canaria is well-known for its black lava and white sand beaches.
    And steady temps of 22C throughout the winter.
  2. The Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea looks like a place straight out of a fairytale and even has flights for less than €90 from Dublin Airport.
    Santorini, located in Greece is calling your name as the peak tourist season comes to an end but the hot sunshine isn’t.
    Roam the peaceful black-sand beaches or stroll the streets of one of Santorini’s charming villages.
  3. Tuscany stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Apennines and is located in west-central Italy.
    With breath-taking beaches, Mediterranean islands and highs of 23C in October, this European spot has something for everyone.
  4. The island of Sardinia in Italy is home to nearly 2,000km of stunning coastline. With average highs of 23C throughout October this is the prime month to visit and avoid large crowds.
    It’s a great time of year to swim in the sea, with the water at an average temperature of 22C.
  5. Cordoba in southern Spain is the capital of the province and the ideal place for an autumn getaway.
    The city enjoys temperatures from 18 to 24C even into the month of October, so visitors can soak up the last of the sunshine.
    And it’s just three hours from Dublin Airport with Ryanair operating regular flights to the city’s closest airport in Malaga for just €24.99.

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