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Katie McCabe in the running for Women's Ballon d'Or

Katie McCabe has enjoyed a brilliant year
Katie McCabe has enjoyed a brilliant year

Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe has been shortlisted for the Women's Ballon d'Or award.

The Tallaght woman had a superb year, skippering her country to a first ever appearance at a World Cup while helping her club Arsenal to the semi-finals of the Champions League and a third-placed finish in the Women's Super League.

A total of 30 players are nominated for the prestigious award, including Salma Paralluelo, Aitana Bonmati, Alba Redondo and Olga Carmona who all helped a brilliant Spain team to World Cup glory.

Two more Spanirads - Mapi Leon and Patricia Guijarro - are also included. They stepped away from international duty a year ago in protest against the conditions and environment under the now former manager Jorge Vilda.

Japan's Hinata Miyazawa - who has just completed a move to Manchester United - England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Australia superstar Sam Kerr and Nigeria forward Asisat Oshoala are also on the list.

There was further good news for McCabe as she and her Arsenal team-mates sealed their place in the Champions League qualifying first-round final with a 3-0 win against Linkoping in Sweden.

Caitlin Foord and Lina Hurtig both scored with second-half headers before substitute Stina Blackstenius' late effort sealed their progress.

Arsenal captain Kim Little's early penalty was saved and Lotte Wubben-Moy's first-half header was pushed on to a post.

Women's Ballon d'Or nominees

Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)
Mapi Leon (Barcelona)
Mary Earps (Manchester United)
Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona)
Wendie Renard (Lyon)
Katie McCabe (Arsenal)
Jill Roord (Wolfsburg and Manchester City)
Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City)
Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg)
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona)
Debinha (Kansas City)
Sam Kerr (Chelsea)
Guro Reiten (Chelsea)
Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg)
Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona)
Daphne Van Domselaar (Twente and Aston Villa)
Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg)
Hinata Miyazawa (MyNavi Sendai and Manchester United)
Millie Bright (Chelsea)
Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona)
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns)
Hayley Raso (Manchester City and Real Madrid)
Amanda Ilestedt (PSG and Arsenal)
Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich)
Olga Ramona (Real Madrid)
Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona)
Rachel Daly (Aston Villa)
Alba Redondo (Levante)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid)
Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon)

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