Ashley Hutton and Marissa Callaghan: Northern Ireland stalwarts retire

Former Northern Ireland internationals Marissa Callaghan and Ashley Hutton have announced their retirements from football.

Both players’ careers came to an end before the women’s season finale, the Challenge Cup final, between their two sides Linfield and Cliftonville.

Callaghan was suspended for the game after picking up a red card against the Blues in a league game last month and Hutton missed the game through injury.

They have both been key figures in the growth of the women’s game in Northern Ireland on both a domestic and international stage.

Former NI captain Callaghan retired from international football earlier this year after winning 91 caps and leading out her country at Euro 2022 – their first women’s major tournament.

Callaghan rose through the ranks at Cliftonville and captained the side when they won their first Premiership trophy in 2022.

She played a key role when the Reds won the domestic treble last season and was a prominent player in the 2025 campaign, as they completed the cup double and also competed in the Champions League for the first time.

Throughout her career, Callaghan has strived to inspire the next generation and works as a women’s and girls’ football administrator with the Irish FA Foundation.

Hutton won 114 caps for and scored nine teams for Northern Ireland and had plenty of memorable memories in a green and white shirt, including scoring on her 100th cap against Wales.

After joining Linfield in 2012, the defender was part of the side who impressively won four Women’s Premiership titles in a row between 2016-2019.

She also picked up three Challenge Cups and a League Cup and represented the club in Europe on multiple occasions.