Méabh De Búrca

Méabh De Búrca

De Búrca playing for Ireland in 2015
Personal information
Full name	Méabh De Búrca[1]
Date of birth	(1988-08-11) 11 August 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	Galway, Ireland
Height	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Defender / Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Galway
Number	5
Youth career
	Salthill Devon
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2009	Salthill Devon
2007–2009	→ Galway
2009–2011	New Haven Chargers
2011	Boston Aztec	13	(0)
2012	Amazon Grimstad	18	(1)
2013	Eskilstuna United	26	(0)
2013–2017	Galway
International career
2006–2017	Republic of Ireland	52	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Méabh De Búrca (born 11 August 1988) is an Irish former footballer who plays for the Republic of Ireland women's national football team and Women's National League club Galway. 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.^[2] She progressed through the ranks alongside Niamh Fahey,^[2] and the pair helped Galway win the 2007 FAI Women's Cup.^[3] While Fahey departed to Arsenal Ladies, De Búrca stayed in Ireland and represented Galway in the 2008–09 UEFA Women's Cup.^[4]

In 2009 De Búrca moved to the University of New Haven on a soccer scholarship.^[5] 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.^[6]

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.^[7]

De Búrca spent the 2013 season playing for Eskilstuna United alongside compatriot Louise Quinn. The team won the Elitettan and promotion into the Damallsvenskan.^[8] In December 2013 De Búrca signed for new Women's National League entrant Galway W.F.C.^[9]

International career

De Búrca has won over 50 caps for Ireland,^[5] having previously represented her country at Under–17 level and as captain of the Under–19 team.^[5] Her full international debut came in a 1–0 defeat to Italy at Richmond Park in September 2006.^[10]

In 2007, while a student at NUI Galway, De Búrca played for Irish Universities at the 2007 Summer Universiade in Bangkok.^[11]

References

1. Méabh De Búrca at the Norwegian Football Federation (in Norwegian)
2. Beckles, Kieran (24 August 2009). "Irish stars prepare for World Cup qualifying". The Sport Review. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
3. "Galway League 1-0 Raheny United". RTÉ. 14 October 2007. Archived from the original on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
4. "Meabh De Burca". UEFA. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
5. "#9 Meabh De Burca". University of New Haven. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
6. "2011 National Championship" (PDF). WPSL. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
7. "2011 National Championship". Women’s Soccer Alumna Signs Professionally in Norway. 1 February 2012. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2012.
8. 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.
9. "Galway WFC sign De Búrca from Swedish side". Galway Independent. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
10. "Ladies Soccer". Salthill Devon. Archived from the original on 15 November 2006. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
11. "Irish Delegation for World University Games Announced". Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland. 24 July 2007. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 7 April 2011.

External links

• Méabh De Búrca – FIFA competition record (archived)
• Méabh De Búrca at Soccerway