Méabh De Búrca

Méabh De Búrca
Personal information
Full nameMéabh De Búrca
Date of birth11 August 1988
Place of birthGalway, Ireland
Height1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Playing positionDefender / Midfielder
Club information
Current team
Galway WFC
Youth career
Salthill Devon
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2000–2009Salthill Devon
2009–2011New Haven Chargers
2011Boston Aztec13(0)
2012Amazon Grimstad
2013Eskilstuna United
2013–Galway WFC
National team
2006–Republic of Ireland30(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

Méabh De Búrca (born 11 August 1988) is an Irish footballer who plays for the Republic of Ireland national team and Women's National League club Galway WFC. At club level she previously played in America for Boston Aztec, in Norway for Amazon Grimstad and for Swedish club Eskilstuna United. De Búrca can play in defence or midfield.

Club career

De Búrca joined Salthill Devon in 2000, initially playing in the boys' team.[1] She progressed through the ranks alongside Niamh Fahey,[1] and the pair helped Galway Ladies (a regional select team) win the FAI Senior Women's Cup in 2007.[2] While Fahey departed to Arsenal Ladies, De Búrca stayed in Ireland and represented Galway in the 2008–09 UEFA Women's Cup.[3]

In 2009 De Búrca moved to the University of New Haven on a soccer scholarship.[4] In the 2011 season she also played for Boston Aztec, the Boston Breakers' reserve team, who compete at WPSL level. De Búrca made 13 appearances as Aztec won their conference and reached the national semi–final.[5]

After graduating with a Master's degree in Sports Management, De Búrca signed a professional contract to play the 2012 season with Norwegian club Amazon Grimstad.[6]

De Búrca spent the 2013 season playing for Eskilstuna United alongside compatriot Louise Quinn. The team won the Elitettan and promotion into the Damallsvenskan.[7] In December 2013 De Búrca signed for new Women's National League entrant Galway WFC.[8]

International career

De Búrca has won over 40 caps for Ireland,[4] having previously represented her country at Under–17 level and as captain of the Under–19 team.[4] Her full international debut came in a 1–0 defeat to Italy at Richmond Park in September 2006.[9]

In 2007, while a student at NUI Galway, De Búrca played for Irish Universities at the 2007 Summer Universiade in Bangkok.[10]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Kieran Beckles (24 August 2009). "Irish stars prepare for World Cup qualifying". The Sport Review. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  2. "Galway League 1-0 Raheny United". RTÉ. 14 October 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  3. "Meabh De Burca". UEFA.com. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "#9 Meabh De Burca". University of New Haven. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  5. "2011 National Championship". WPSL. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  6. "2011 National Championship". Women’s Soccer Alumna Signs Professionally in Norway. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
  7. Landy, Barry (11 October 2013). "Meabh De Burca – “I knew my time was limited and I wanted to try something else”". The Emerald Exiles. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  8. "Galway WFC sign De Búrca from Swedish side". Galway Independent. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  9. "Ladies Soccer". Salthill Devon. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  10. "Irish Delegation for World University Games Announced". Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland. 24 July 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2011.