Sophie MacMahon, the dynamic Ireland women’s cricketer, has called time on her international career at the age of 28. The hard-hitting batter and nagging medium pacer, who represented Leinster Cricket Club, made 45 appearances for her country since debuting in 2017 against England Women in a One Day match in Abu Dhabi.
Her decision to retire from professional cricket, including the domestic Super Series, marks the end of an era for Irish women’s cricket, though she plans to continue enjoying club cricket with Leinster Cricket Club.
MacMahon’s journey was one of grit and versatility. As an all-rounder, she brought firepower to the top order and control with the ball, often bowling a probing length that troubled batters. Her standout moment came in a One-Day International against a full-strength South Africa in Dublin in 2022, where she smashed her highest score of 42, holding her own against a world class attack.
Across formats, she snared 21 wickets, with her best figures of 2-13 coming against Thailand in the Netherlands. Her final outing for Ireland was against Zimbabwe in July 2025, where she claimed 2-21, underscoring her enduring impact.
A pioneer in Irish women’s cricket, MacMahon was among the first seven players to secure full time professional contracts in 2019 a landmark moment that professionalized the setup and paved the way for future stars. This recognition came after years of dedication, transforming her childhood dream into reality.
“It is a tough decision to decide to retire but I feel like the time is right for me,” MacMahon said. “I have given so much of my life to cricket and representing my country in the sport I love will be something I’ll always treasure. My dream as a child was to be a professional cricketer and I never believed that dream would come true, so I feel very fortunate.”
She expressed deep gratitude to Cricket Ireland’s staff and coaches, particularly those in the women’s programme, as well as her family and teammates. “I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had while playing for Ireland, in particular the places I’ve got to visit and the people I’ve met,” she added. “The best part about my journey has been my teammates along the way and I will miss being part of such an incredible squad – but I know I’ve made friends for life.”
Graeme West, Cricket Ireland’s Director of High Performance, lauded MacMahon’s dedication, describing her as one of the senior squad’s most professional and committed players, a much-loved teammate who always stepped up for others. He portrayed her as a formidable competitor on the field, keeping opponents alert whether batting or bowling.
MacMahon’s retirement leaves a void, but her legacy as a trailblazer endures. From those inaugural contracts to her consistent performances, she embodied the growth of women’s cricket in Ireland.
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