The former captain of the Northern Ireland women's football team, Marissa Callaghan, has spoken of her shock and gratitude at being recognised in the New Year Honours.Callaghan, who in 2022 led the team at its first international tournament at the European Championships in England, has been made an MBE.The honour comes at the end of a year when the 39-year-old Cliftonville Ladies midfielder stepped down from captaining her country after eight years in the role.

The former captain of the Northern Ireland women's football team, Marissa Callaghan, has spoken of her shock and gratitude at being recognised in the New Year Honours.Callaghan, who in 2022 led the team at its first international tournament at the European Championships in England, has been made an MBE.The honour comes at the end of a year when the 39-year-old Cliftonville Ladies midfielder stepped down from captaining her country after eight years in the role.