Former Northern Ireland captain Marissa Callaghan said that her career has been “an incredible journey” after she announced her retirement from football.

The 40-year-old brought the curtain down on her distinguished career before Cliftonville’s Challenge Cup victory over Linfield on Saturday.

Callaghan, who has been at the club for more than two decades, missed the decider through suspension after a red card against Linfield in a league game last month.

As a result, her last game for Cliftonville was a 1-0 defeat against Glentoran which handed the east Belfast side the Women’s Premiership trophy.

Despite not being granted a fairytale ending on the pitch, Callaghan was still pleased to have bowed out on a high as the Reds retained the trophy, and the midfielder was serenaded by Cliftonville supporters at Windsor Park.

“The last few weeks have been an absolute emotional rollercoaster from when I got the red card against Linfield, which I think was a bit harsh,” she told BBC Sport NI.

“Thankfully the club backed me and put an appeal in and that gave me the chance to play another two games.

“When I came off with the red card, I was gutted thinking I was going to miss my last few games but lucky enough I got two of them anyway.

“It’s the end of an era, I’ve had a really good run. I’m happy we got the win and I end as an Irish Cup champion.”