Republic of Ireland midfielder Lily Agg has suffered another heartbreaking setback, confirming she has ruptured her Achilles heel just weeks after returning from an ACL injury. Last week Agg was named in Carla Ward's squad for the upcoming World Cup qualification double-header against Poland, on next Tuesday in Gdansk and at home at the Aviva Stadium four days later.
Agg had been out for 15 months, suffering the dreaded ACL in January 2025. Her subsequent surgery led to her receiving a cancer diagnosis of melanoma in situ, after the surgeon spotted a suspicious looking mole. The day before she was included in the Ireland squad, Agg limped out of Durham’s 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Agg had scored Durham’s goal two minutes before the injury. It was her first score for the club since joining on loan from Birmingham City in January.
Agg said on social media: ‘‘An ACL is unlucky enough. To fight your way back from that and then rupture your Achilles on the other leg makes you question everything. Two of the worst injuries you can have. I keep asking myself what I ever did to deserve this. Why me, Why now.’’ The player said she will have to think retirement, adding: ‘‘I will be another year older. I’m 32 now, out of contract in June, with an ACL and an Achilles rupture behind me in the last two years. I’m not naive. The game is changing, and I know I’ll be a risk many won’t want to take a chance on. My heart is broken and my head hurts.’’
