Farewells mark the end of a WSL season to remember
Manchester City may have already wrapped up the Women's Super League title before the final round of fixtures, but the closing day of the season was far from a formality, with emotional send-offs for Arsenal's Katie McCabe and Chelsea's Sam Kerr taking centre stage.
McCabe, the Ireland captain, bowed out of Arsenal after more than a decade at the club in fitting fashion, contributing an assist in a 3-1 victory at Liverpool. The versatile left-sided player, who won both the WSL and the Champions League during her time in north London, will move on next season.
"It was crazy. I was leading the girls out and I looked at the away end and it was like I was at an Ireland game," said the 30-year-old of the Irish tricolours raised by supporters in her honour.
"The fans have been incredible over the years that I've been here, we've built the club up together, we've had success together and I'm going to miss being part of it, for sure."
McCabe was visibly emotional as she was substituted, and similar scenes unfolded in London where Kerr brought her six-and-a-half-year Chelsea chapter to a close. The 32-year-old Australia captain marked the occasion with a brilliant volley to seal a 1-0 win over Manchester United, the goal drawing her level with Fran Kirby as the club's all-time leading scorer on 115 goals.
"When I reflect on my Chelsea career and doing it for the last time, I just feel happy. Happy that it happened, and I feel so grateful to have played for this club for six years and won as many trophies as we could," Kerr said ahead of her final appearance.
"The only thing that comes to my mind is remembering all the happy moments, the fun moments, and just feeling really proud," she added.
Attention now turns to who might fill Kerr's boots at Stamford Bridge, with WSL top scorer Bunny Shaw heavily linked with a switch to Chelsea when her contract expires. The 29-year-old Jamaican, who netted twice in City's 4-1 win over West Ham United to cap a league-best 21-goal season, was giving little away as her side lifted the WSL trophy for the first time in ten years.
"I focus on what I can control. Today is to celebrate and to enjoy. It's been a long season, we worked extremely hard to get to this point - after that I'll see what's to come," said Shaw.
SportsLigue
