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02 Oct 2025
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02 Oct 2025
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Jackie (left) pictured with Lisa Daly, Chairperson of Limerick Pride| Picture: ilovelimerick
LIMERICK sports star, Jackie McCarthy-O'Brien has been announced as the Limerick Pride 2023 Grand Marshal.
Jackie is a Limerick woman who has played both rugby and football for Ireland. She won 13 international caps with the Republic of Ireland women's senior soccer side, followed by a similar number of appearances with the Ireland women's senior rugby side.
She was born to a Jamaican father and a Limerick mother in Birmingham. When she was just six months old, her mother returned to Limerick to live.
“In 1961 being a black child in Limerick, you kind of stuck out like a sore thumb. Getting on a pitch, putting on a pair of boots, that shy little black kid was gone,” Jackie said.
“I am simply thrilled and honoured to be the Grand Marshall for this year’s Limerick Pride and will treasure the opportunity to stand united in solidarity with my community as we remember and acknowledge the struggles our community has faced over the last 30 years.”
Jackie’s sporting talent shone through from a young age. Initially, she played soccer with St Mary's Park, Greenpark, Pike Rovers, at Bracken Cup inter-league level and also Limerick.
After hanging up her soccer boots, Jackie wished to keep her fitness levels up. Among the highlights of her rugby career was an appearance on RTÉs The Late Late Show.
During her career, Jackie has achieved a number of achievements including playing four rugby seasons, the European Championships over two weeks in Nice and scoring a try against the Netherlands in the 1998 World Cup.
Speaking of the 30th anniversary which Pride will be celebrating this year, Lisa Daly, Chairperson of Limerick Pride, spoke of how “adversity sets Jackie apart from her peers”.
“The resilience Jackie showed in overcoming adversity sets her apart from many of her peers - she took a road less travelled, to the very pinnacle in two major international sports.
“We are beyond honoured that Jackie will be our Grand Marshall for Limerick Pride 2023 and this year is especially important to our community as it’s the 30th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Ireland.”
Limerick Pride 2023 runs from Monday, July 3 until Sunday, July 9 with the pride parade taking place on Saturday, July 8.
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