Sinead Farrelly announced Friday she is immediately retiring from playing soccer due to long-term symptoms from previous concussions, writes Jonathan Tannenwald for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

It’s been quite a journey. The Havertown native had only returned to playing last year after eight years away from the game, then went to the World Cup with Ireland and won a NWSL title with Gotham FC.

This year, Farrelly has played only once for Gotham on April 28.

Off the field, the 34-year-old midfielder was a key player in exposing an abuse scandal in the National Women’s Soccer League in 2021. Allegations in the scandal led to former Philadelphia Independence manager Paul Riley and other coaches being banned from soccer.

Farrelly is leaving the sport after a neurologist advised her to stop playing due to cumulative head injuries she suffered in her career.

“And I just feel like I’m ending on such a positive note, even though I can see that maybe it can look another way.”

She won’t get to play a homecoming game with Gotham July 29 against Washington at Subaru Park in Chester but she’ll still be there next month … as a Gotham fan.

Read more about Sinead Farrelly’s retirement decision in The Philadelphia Inquirer.