Northern Ireland centurion Sarah McFadden credits her family as she is hailed a Game Changer

Sarah McFadden celebrates after scoring for Northern Ireland against Czechia

Northern Ireland centurion Sarah McFadden has earned the Electric Ireland Game Changers award for September and it represents another token of appreciation to one of our game’s longest servants.

McFadden plays for her proud family as well as herself and it has been a special few days for the Bellaghy native who now lives and works in Newcastle, England.

A remarkable football journey which has seen her represent Northern Ireland 100 times and compete in the USA, Iceland and England has more chapters to come.

But the 36-year-old is reflecting with her family on everything she has achieved after celebrating her 100th cap in the 1-0 win over Albania at Seaview last month.

McFadden became just the third woman to hit a century of appearances for Northern Ireland after Ashley Hutton and Julie Nelson achieved the feat.

Former Northern Ireland international and Game Changers judge Ashley Hutton presents Sarah McFadden with her award

The defender naturally produced a captain’s performance in the Women’s Nations League clash and since her debut in 2005 the green shirt has meant the world to her. Now she’s blessed to know her family, including husband Damian and six-year-old daughter Harper, have been part of her amazing adventure.

Harper and Damian travelled unannounced to the team hotel and her daughter had one more surprise for her mum as she was the mascot for the game.

McFadden, who had the honour of leading out Northern Ireland as captain for the first game at last year’s Women’s Euro 2022 Finals, says family backing make her achievements more special.

“Family have been incredible and it’s nice that over the last five or six years we have been