Shirley McCay
{{short description|Ireland women's hockey international}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox field hockey player
| name = Shirley McCay
{{post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE}}
| image =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|6|7|df=y}} {{cite web |url=https://tms.fih.ch/competitions/869/reports/teams |title=Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup 2018 – Team Details Ireland |publisher=fih.ch |access-date=5 August 2018}}
| birth_place = County Tyrone, Northern Ireland
| height =
| weight =
| position = Defender/Midfielder
| youthyears1 = 200x–2006
| youthclubs1 = Omagh Academy
| years1 = 200x–200x
| clubs1 = Omagh
| years2 = 200x–2008
| clubs2 = Randalstown
| years3 = 2008–2009
| clubs3 = Ulster Elks
| years4 = 2009–2010
| clubs4 = KHC Dragons
| years5 = 2010–2014
| clubs5 = Old Alex
| years6 = 2014–2017
| clubs6 = Ulster Elks
| years7 = 2017–
| clubs7 = Pegasus
| nationalyears1 = 2007–2021
| nationalteam1 = Ireland
| nationalcaps1 = 273
| nationalgoals1 = 7
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCompetition|World Cup}}
{{MedalSilver|2018 London|}}
}}
Shirley McCay {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} (born 7 June 1988) is an Ireland women's field hockey international. She was a member of the Ireland team that played in the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup final. McCay has played in the Women's Irish Hockey League for Old Alex, Ulster Elks and Pegasus. She was a member of the Ulster Elks team that won two successive Irish Senior Cup titles in 2014–15 and 2015–16. Since 2015 she has been Ireland's most capped women's field hockey international.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/07/golden-moment-for-irelands-women-as-mccay-breaks-caps-record-in-prague/#.W5ggn_ZFxy0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811144959/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/07/golden-moment-for-irelands-women-as-mccay-breaks-caps-record-in-prague/#.W5ggn_ZFxy0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 August 2015 |title=Golden moment for Ireland's women as McCay breaks caps record in Prague |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=11 September 2018 |date=25 July 2015}}
According to some sources she is also "Ireland's most capped sportswoman in any code" {{cite web |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-irelands-hockey-heroes-859992.html |title=20 things you didn’t know about Ireland's hockey heroes |publisher=www.irishexaminer.com |access-date=9 August 2018 |date=5 August 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/shirley-mccay-looking-to-add-to-her-mountain-of-caps-1.2993970 |title=Shirley McCay looking to add to her mountain of caps |publisher=www.irishtimes.com |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=2 March 2017}} and the holder of "the most international caps by any Irish athlete (male or female) across any sport".{{cite news |url=https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/article/chairman-hosts-reception-for-shirley-mccay/ |title=Chairman hosts reception for Shirley McCay |publisher=www.fermanaghomagh.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=5 October 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://fermanaghherald.com/2018/08/marys-pride-at-history-making-hockey-girls/ |title=Mary's pride at history making hockey girls |publisher=fermanaghherald.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=8 August 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://ulsterherald.com/2017/09/01/250-caps-many-mccay/ |title=250 caps but how many more for McCay? |publisher=ulsterherald.com |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=1 September 2017}}
Early years, family and education
McCay's hometown is Drumquin, County Tyrone. She is the daughter of Robert and Hazel McCay. She has a sister, Lindsay. She was educated at Omagh Academy{{cite news |url=https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/article/chairman-hosts-reception-for-shirley-mccay/ |title=Chairman hosts reception for Shirley McCay |publisher=www.fermanaghomagh.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=5 October 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.tyronecon.co.uk/other/2018/10/10/gallery/academy-give-heroine-s-welcome-home-to-world-cup-medallist-and-former-pupil-shirley-1402/ |title=Academy give heroine's welcome home to World Cup medallist and former pupil Shirley |publisher=www.tyronecon.co.uk |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=10 October 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726092432/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 July 2018 |title=Shirley McCay – Women's World Cup squad |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=21 July 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/shirley-mccay-may-revisit-retirement-date-after-world-cup-heroics-1.3587371 |title=Shirley McCay may revisit retirement date after World Cup heroics |publisher=www.irishtimes.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=5 August 2018}} and Dublin Institute of Technology.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/mccays-big-day-dashed-26787421.html |title=McCay's big day dashed |publisher=www.independent.ie |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=31 October 2011}}
Domestic teams
=Omagh Academy=
While attending Omagh Academy, McCay was encouraged to play field hockey by her PE teacher, Mary Swann. She was captain of the academy under-14 team which won the Ulster Junior Schoolgirls' Cup. In 2005 she was a member of the Omagh Academy team that won the Ulster Senior Schoolgirls' Cup and the Kate Russell All-Ireland Schoolgirls Championships.{{cite news |url=https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/article/chairman-hosts-reception-for-shirley-mccay/ |title=Chairman hosts reception for Shirley McCay |publisher=www.fermanaghomagh.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=5 October 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://fermanaghherald.com/2018/08/marys-pride-at-history-making-hockey-girls/ |title=Mary's pride at history making hockey girls |publisher=fermanaghherald.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=8 August 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726092432/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 July 2018 |title=Shirley McCay – Women's World Cup squad |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=21 July 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.tyronecon.co.uk/other/2018/10/10/gallery/academy-give-heroine-s-welcome-home-to-world-cup-medallist-and-former-pupil-shirley-1402/ |title=Academy give heroine's welcome home to World Cup medallist and former pupil Shirley |publisher=www.tyronecon.co.uk |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=10 October 2018}} In addition to playing for Omagh Academy, McCay also played senior club field hockey with Omagh and Randalstown.{{cite web |url=https://ulsterhockey.com/mccay-returns-to-her-roots/ |title=McCay Returns To Her Roots |publisher=ulsterhockey.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=1 November 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/11/mccay-to-be-honoured-in-omagh-where-it-all-began/#.XB56TPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181103141740/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/11/mccay-to-be-honoured-in-omagh-where-it-all-began/#.XB56TPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 November 2018 |title=McCay to be honoured in Omagh where it all began |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=1 November 2018}}
=Ulster Elks=
McCay first played for the Ulster Elks during the 2008–09
season.{{cite news |url=https://southernfriedhockey.com/club/pritchard-poised-for-pembroke-move/ |title=Pritchard poised for Pembroke move |publisher=southernfriedhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=23 September 2009}} She re-joined the Elks for the 2014–15 season, teaming up with among others, Megan Frazer and Stephanie Jameson.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2014/08/mccay-and-frazer-bolster-elks-armoury/#.XB6CKfZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072756/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2014/08/mccay-and-frazer-bolster-elks-armoury/#.XB6CKfZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2019 |title=McCay and Frazer bolster Elks armoury |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=28 August 2014}}{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/hockey/shirley-mccay-capture-boosts-ulster-elks-title-tilt-30538712.html |title=Shirley McCay capture boosts Ulster Elks title tilt |publisher=www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=27 August 2014}} She subsequently helped the Elks win the Irish Senior Cup in both 2014–15 {{cite news |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/aine-curran-s-winner-earns-ulster-elks-a-first-irish-senior-cup-title-1.2157726 |title=Aine Curran's winner earns Ulster Elks a first Irish Senior Cup title |publisher=www.irishtimes.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=29 March 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1503300/5000/ |title=Hermes v Ulster Elks - Irish Senior Women's Cup Final Photos |publisher=www.sportsfile.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=29 March 2015}}
and 2015–16.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/hockey/rebecca-davidson-shines-as-ulster-elks-retain-irish-senior-cup-1-7286966 |title=Rebecca Davidson shines as Ulster Elks retain Irish Senior Cup |access-date=22 March 2016 |publisher=www.newsletter.co.uk |date=21 March 2016}} After the Elks were relegated from the Women's Irish Hockey League at the end of the 2016–17 season, McCay switched to Pegasus.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/mccay-makes-switch-to-pegasus-from-elks/#.XB57BPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929060455/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/mccay-makes-switch-to-pegasus-from-elks/#.XB57BPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 September 2017 |title=McCay makes switch to Pegasus from Elks |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=4 September 2017}}
=KHC Dragons=
During the 2009–10 season McCay played for KHC Dragons.{{cite news |url=https://southernfriedhockey.com/club/pritchard-poised-for-pembroke-move/ |title=Pritchard poised for Pembroke move |publisher=southernfriedhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=23 September 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2010/09/old-alex-womens-division-one-preview/#.XB6FyPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072903/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2010/09/old-alex-womens-division-one-preview/#.XB6FyPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2019 |title=Old Alex – Women's Division One preview |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=24 September 2010}}{{cite news |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/other-sports/oflynn-ready-to-answer-ireland-call-115302.html |title=O'Flynn ready to answer Ireland call |publisher=www.irishexaminer.com |access-date=7 November 2018 |date=24 March 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/hockey/8583820.stm |title=Ireland name squad for women's World Cup {{sic|qual|ifers |nolink=y}}|publisher=news.bbc.co.uk|access-date=22 December 2018|date=23 March 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://hookhockey.blogspot.com/2010/08/mcconnell-returns-clark-in-line-for-100.html |title=McConnell returns, Clarke in line for 100 |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=3 August 2010}}
=Old Alex=
Between 2010 and 2014 McCay played for Old Alex in the Women's Irish Hockey League. While playing for Old Alex, McCay also studied journalism at Dublin Institute of Technology.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/mccays-big-day-dashed-26787421.html |title=McCay's big day dashed |publisher=www.independent.ie |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=31 October 2011}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2010/09/old-alex-womens-division-one-preview/#.XB6FyPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072903/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2010/09/old-alex-womens-division-one-preview/#.XB6FyPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2019 |title=Old Alex – Women's Division One preview |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=24 September 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2014/09/old-alex-womens-leinster-division-one/#.XObk-PZFxy0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627143700/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2014/09/old-alex-womens-leinster-division-one/#.XObk-PZFxy0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=27 June 2020 |title=Old Alex – Women's Leinster Division One |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=19 September 2014}}{{cite news |url=https://ulsterherald.com/2013/10/10/drumquin-woman-to-look-after-elite-hockey-players/ |title=Drumquin woman to coach elite hockey players |publisher=ulsterherald.com |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=10 October 2013}}
=Pegasus=
Since 2017–18 McCay has played for Pegasus in the Women's Irish Hockey League.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/mccay-makes-switch-to-pegasus-from-elks/#.XB57BPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929060455/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/mccay-makes-switch-to-pegasus-from-elks/#.XB57BPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 September 2017 |title=McCay makes switch to Pegasus from Elks |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=4 September 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/pegasus-womens-ey-hockey-league/#.XB6AC_Z2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072650/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/pegasus-womens-ey-hockey-league/#.XB6AC_Z2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2019 |title=Pegasus – Women's EY Hockey League |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=28 September 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hockey/2018/0927/998540-back-to-the-grindstone-for-world-cup-hero-mccay/ |title=Back to the grindstone for World Cup hero McCay |publisher=www.rte.ie |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=29 September 2018}}
Ireland international
McCay represented Ireland at Under-16 and Under-18 levels before making her senior debut.{{cite news |url=https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/article/chairman-hosts-reception-for-shirley-mccay/ |title=Chairman hosts reception for Shirley McCay |publisher=www.fermanaghomagh.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=5 October 2018}} She made her senior debut in January 2007 against Canada.{{cite web |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726092432/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 July 2018 |title=Shirley McCay – Women's World Cup squad |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=21 July 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hockey.ie/playerprofile/2650/ |title=Shirley McCay |publisher=www.hockey.ie |access-date=5 August 2018}} In April 2011 she captained Ireland as she made her 100th senior appearance against France.{{cite news |url=https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/article/chairman-hosts-reception-for-shirley-mccay/ |title=Chairman hosts reception for Shirley McCay |publisher=www.fermanaghomagh.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=5 October 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hockey.ie/playerprofile/2650/ |title=Shirley McCay |publisher=www.hockey.ie |access-date=5 August 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2011/04/mccay-celebrates-100th-cap-with-french-win/#.XC0i3PZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103110340/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2011/04/mccay-celebrates-100th-cap-with-french-win/#.XC0i3PZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=3 January 2019 |title=McCay celebrates 100th cap with French win |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=2 January 2019 |date=25 April 2011}} In March 2015 McCay was a member of the Ireland team that won a 2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League Round 2 tournament hosted in Dublin, defeating Canada in the final after a penalty shoot-out.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/hockey/32012298 |title=World League 2: Ireland beat Canada in shootout |publisher=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=22 October 2018 |date=22 March 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1503210/ |title=Ireland v Canada - World Hockey League 2 Final Photos |publisher=www.sportsfile.com |access-date=17 November 2018 |date=22 March 2015}} On 11 June 2015 McCay made her 200th senior Ireland appearance at the 2014–15 Women's FIH Hockey World League Semifinals in a game against Germany.{{cite news |url=https://ulsterherald.com/2015/06/15/200-and-counting-for-irish-hockey-star-mccay/ |title=200 and counting for Irish hockey star McCay |publisher=ulsterherald.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=15 June 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/06/mccay-set-for-200th-international-cap/#.XB6BBfZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072710/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/06/mccay-set-for-200th-international-cap/#.XB6BBfZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2019 |title=McCay set for 200th international cap |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=11 June 2015}} In July 2015 she was also a member of the Ireland team that won the 2015 Women's EuroHockey Championship II. In the final against the Czech Republic, McCay made her 209th senior Ireland appearance. As a result, she became Ireland's most capped women's field hockey international, moving one ahead of Nikki Symmons.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/07/golden-moment-for-irelands-women-as-mccay-breaks-caps-record-in-prague/#.W5ggn_ZFxy0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811144959/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2015/07/golden-moment-for-irelands-women-as-mccay-breaks-caps-record-in-prague/#.W5ggn_ZFxy0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=11 August 2015 |title=Golden moment for Ireland's women as McCay breaks caps record in Prague |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=11 September 2018 |date=25 July 2015}} In January 2017 she was also a member of the Ireland team that won a 2016–17 Women's FIH Hockey World League Round 2 tournament in Kuala Lumpur, defeating Malaysia 3–0 in the final.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/01/outstanding-ireland-add-gold-to-wl3-ticket/#.W6Al6vZFxy0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918230922/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/01/outstanding-ireland-add-gold-to-wl3-ticket/#.W6Al6vZFxy0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=18 September 2018 |title=Outstanding Ireland add gold to WL3 ticket |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=17 September 2018 |date=22 January 2017}} In August 2017 she made her 250th appearance at the 2017 Women's EuroHockey Nations Championship.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/mccay-makes-switch-to-pegasus-from-elks/#.XB57BPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929060455/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/09/mccay-makes-switch-to-pegasus-from-elks/#.XB57BPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=29 September 2017 |title=McCay makes switch to Pegasus from Elks |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=4 September 2017}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/hockey/41041347 |title=McCay wins 250th cap as Ireland beat Czech Republic |publisher=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=5 August 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/10/mccay-likely-to-step-down-after-2018-world-cup/#.XB55DPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072906/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/10/mccay-likely-to-step-down-after-2018-world-cup/#.XB55DPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2019 |title=McCay likely to step down after 2018 World Cup |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=13 October 2017}}
McCay represented Ireland at the 2018 Women's Hockey World Cup and was a prominent member of the team that won the silver medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/20-things-you-didnt-know-about-irelands-hockey-heroes-859992.html |title=20 things you didn’t know about Ireland's hockey heroes |publisher=www.irishexaminer.com |access-date=9 August 2018 |date=5 August 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/meet-ireland-s-history-making-world-cup-hockey-heroes-1.3583342 |title=Meet Ireland's history-making World Cup hockey heroes |publisher=www.irishtimes.com |access-date=12 August 2018 |date=1 August 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1808046/5000/ |title=Irish Hockey Squad homecoming from Women’s Hockey World Cup Photos |access-date=20 August 2018 |date=6 August 2018}} She featured in all of Ireland's games throughout the tournament, including the pool games against the United States,{{cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hockey/2018/0721/980254-magnificent-ireland-defeat-usa-in-world-cup-opener/ |title='Magnificent' Ireland open hockey World Cup campaign with USA scalp |publisher=www.rte.ie |access-date=9 August 2018 |date=21 July 2018}} India,{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/other-sports/hockey/we-can-beat-anyone-in-the-world-optimism-growing-as-oflanagan-puts-ireland-in-last-eight-for-first-time-37159688.html |title='We can beat anyone in the world' - Optimism growing as O'Flanagan puts Ireland in last eight for first time |publisher=www.independent.ie |access-date=10 August 2018 |date=26 July 2018}} and England,{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1807250/5000/ |title=England v Ireland - Women's Hockey World Cup Finals Group B Photos |publisher=www.sportsfile.com |access-date=10 August 2018 |date=29 July 2018}} the quarter-final against India,{{cite web |url=http://www.hockey.ie/news-detail/10042325/ |title=Green Army Beat India To Reach World Cup Semi Final |publisher=www.hockey.ie |access-date=10 August 2018 |date=2 August 2018}} the semi-final against Spain{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1808021/5000/ |title=Ireland v Spain - Women's Hockey World Cup Finals Semi-Final Photos |publisher=www.sportsfile.com |access-date=10 August 2018 |date=4 August 2018}} and the final against the Netherlands.{{cite news |url=http://www.the42.ie/ireland-netherlands-womens-hockey-world-cup-final-liveblog-4165488-Aug2018/ |title=As it happened: Ireland v Netherlands, Women's Hockey World Cup final |publisher=www.the42.ie |access-date=10 August 2018 |date=5 August 2018}} During the tournament McCay scored against United States {{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/ireland-world/article/deirdre-duke-and-shirley-mccay-lead-irish-to-victory-at-hockey-world-cup-dms2bsltv |title=Deirdre Duke and Shirley McCay lead Irish to victory at Hockey World Cup |publisher=The Times |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=23 July 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1807186/ |title=Ireland v USA - Women's Hockey World Cup Finals Group B Photos |publisher=www.sportsfile.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=21 July 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/ireland-savour-the-moment-with-magical-world-cup-win-over-us/#.XB59V_Z2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728050358/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/ireland-savour-the-moment-with-magical-world-cup-win-over-us/#.XB59V_Z2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=28 July 2018 |title=Ireland savour the moment with magical World Cup win over US |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=24 July 2018}} and was named player of the match in the pool game against India.{{cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/hockey/2018/0927/998540-back-to-the-grindstone-for-world-cup-hero-mccay/ |title=Back to the grindstone for World Cup hero McCay |publisher=www.rte.ie |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=29 September 2018}} Before the World Cup, McCay announced she would probably retire after the tournament.{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/10/mccay-likely-to-step-down-after-2018-world-cup/#.XB55DPZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104072906/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2017/10/mccay-likely-to-step-down-after-2018-world-cup/#.XB55DPZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=4 January 2019 |title=McCay likely to step down after 2018 World Cup |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=13 October 2017}} However following Ireland's success, she said she would reconsider.{{cite web |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/shirley-mccay-may-revisit-retirement-date-after-world-cup-heroics-1.3587371 |title=Shirley McCay may revisit retirement date after World Cup heroics |publisher=www.irishtimes.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=5 August 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/hockey/shirley-mccay-could-reverse-retirement-decision-after-irelands-world-cup-run-37187067.html |title=Shirley McCay could reverse retirement decision after Ireland's World Cup run |publisher=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=6 August 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/hockey/45095205 |title=Shirley McCay: Ireland record holder tempted by Olympic qualification bid |publisher=www.bbc.co.uk |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=7 August 2018}}{{cite news |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/08/mccay-to-revisit-retirement-plans-after-silver-medal/#.XB5-JfZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810173943/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/08/mccay-to-revisit-retirement-plans-after-silver-medal/#.XB5-JfZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=10 August 2018 |title=McCay to revisit retirement plans after silver medal |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=22 December 2018 |date=7 August 2018}} She announced her retirement from international play on 9 September 2021.{{cite web |title=Retirements & coaching switches dominate post-Tokyo 2020 |url=http://www.fih.ch/news/retirements-coaching-switches-dominate-post-tokyo-2020/ |website=fih.ch |access-date=9 September 2021 |date=9 September 2021}}
McCay was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to hockey and to the community in Northern Ireland.{{London Gazette|issue=63714|supp=y|page=B22|date=1 June 2022}}
Field hockey coach
Since 2013 McCay has worked as a coach for the Ulster Hockey Union.{{cite web |url=http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726092432/http://www.hookhockey.com/index.php/2018/07/shirley-mccay-womens-world-cup-squad/#.XB1AlvZ2ty0 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 July 2018 |title=Shirley McCay – Women's World Cup squad |publisher=www.hookhockey.com |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=21 July 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nisf.net/latest-news/female-sports-forum-player-profile-shirley-mccay/ |title=Female Sport's Forum Player Profile – Shirley McCay |publisher=www.nisf.net |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=12 October 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/world-cup-silver-medallist-shirley-mccay-lauds-concussion-awareness-1-8646594 |title=World Cup silver medallist Shirley McCay lauds concussion awareness |publisher=www.newsletter.co.uk |access-date=21 December 2018 |date=25 September 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://ulsterherald.com/2013/10/10/drumquin-woman-to-look-after-elite-hockey-players/ |title=Drumquin woman to coach elite hockey players |publisher=ulsterherald.com |access-date=3 January 2019 |date=10 October 2013}}
Honours
- Women's Hockey World Cup
- Runners Up: 2018
- Women's FIH Hockey World League
- Winners: 2015 Dublin, 2017 Kuala Lumpur
- Women's EuroHockey Championship II
- Winners: 2015
- Women's Hockey Champions Challenge I
- Runners Up: 2014
- Women's FIH Hockey Series
- Runners Up: 2019 Banbridge
- Women's Four Nations Cup
- Runners Up: 2017
- Women's Field Hockey Olympic Qualifier
- Runners Up: 2012
- Irish Senior Cup
- Winners: 2014–15, 2015–16
- Kate Russell All-Ireland Schoolgirls Championships
- Winners: 2005
- Ulster Senior Schoolgirls' Cup
- Winners: 2004–05
- Ulster Junior Schoolgirls' Cup
- Winners: ?
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
- [https://hockey.ie/internationals-senior-womens-player-profiles/10-shirley-mccay/ Shirley McCay] at Hockey Ireland
{{Ireland FHW Squad 2018 World Cup}}
{{Ireland FHW Squad 2020 Summer Olympics}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McCay, Shirley}}
Category:Ireland international women's field hockey players
Category:Female field hockey players from Northern Ireland
Category:Irish female field hockey players
Category:British female field hockey players
Category:Women's Irish Hockey League players
Category:Irish expatriate field hockey players
Category:Female field hockey midfielders
Category:Female field hockey defenders
Category:Irish field hockey coaches
Category:People educated at Omagh Academy
Category:Alumni of Dublin Institute of Technology
Category:Field hockey players from Northern Ireland
Category:Irish field hockey players
Category:Sportspeople from County Tyrone
Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Belgium
Category:Field hockey players at the 2020 Summer Olympics
Category:Olympic field hockey players for Ireland