Aoibheann Clancy (born 31 October 2003) is an Irish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Wexford Youths of the Women's National League (WNL) and the Republic of Ireland women's national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 31 October 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Limerick, Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Wexford Youths | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Kilburn Celtic | |||
| Tipperary Town | |||
| 2018–2019 | Limerick WFC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2020– | Wexford Youths | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022– | Republic of Ireland | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:28, 10 December 2022 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:28, 10 December 2022 (UTC) | |||
Club career edit
Clancy is from Kilbehenny in County Limerick. At youth level, she played ladies' Gaelic football for Galtee Gaels, and Camogie for St. Fanahan's.[1] In youth soccer, she was active in the Tipperary Schoolboys/girls Southern & District League (TSSDL) for both Kilburn Celtic and Tipperary Town, before she joined the youth system of local Women's National League club Limerick WFC.[2]
Wexford Youths edit
Ahead of the delayed 2020 Women's National League season, Clancy joined Wexford Youths. In September 2020 she made her first start for her new club as Wexford inflicted a first defeat of the season on champions Peamount United. Impressed Wexford coach Tom Elmes declared Clancy "one of the stand-out performances".[3]
Clancy's strong form continued into the 2021 Women's National League season. She was "instrumental" in the 2021 FAI Women's Cup Final, as Wexford Youths defeated Shelbourne 3–1.[4] At the 2021 WNL Awards, she was named in the Team of the Season and beat fellow nominees Ellen Molloy and Jessie Stapleton to the Young Player of the Year.[5]
International career edit
Youth edit
Clancy represented Ireland at schoolgirl level while she attended Presentation School, Thurles.[6] She was named Player of the Match as Ireland beat England in the final of the 2017 John Read Cup.[7] She was also vice-captain in the team which retained the trophy the following year.[8]
She progressed to the Republic of Ireland women's national under-17 football team,[9] and by 2021 was playing for Dave Connell's Republic of Ireland women's national under-19 football team. She made a single appearance during the calendar year.[10]
Senior edit
Clancy's first senior call-up was for a friendly game against Australia on 21 September 2021 at Tallaght Stadium.[11] The national team coach Vera Pauw had been impressed by her good form with her club and in home-based training sessions.[12] Clancy won her first senior cap on 14 November 2022, as a 62nd-minute substitute for Denise O'Sullivan in a 4–0 friendly win over Morocco staged in Marbella, Spain.[13]
International appearances edit
| National team | Year | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | 2022 | 1 |
| Total | 1 | |
Playing style edit
Clancy is a versatile box-to-box midfielder, whose "quick feet and awareness allow her to operate superbly between the lines".[14][15]
Personal life edit
In 2022 Clancy began studying biomedical sciences at University College Dublin.[16]
References edit
- ^ Roche, Marian (25 November 2021). "Aoibheann nominated for Young Player of the Year". The Avondhu. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Tipperary schoolgirl soccer stars bidding to make international breakthrough". The Nationalist (Tipperary). 13 February 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Williams, Tadhg (10 September 2020). "Wexford Youths boss Elmes: 'I'm happy with how we've started. We're putting points on the board, that's the main thing and we're gaining momentum'". Extratime.com. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Duffy, Emma (23 November 2021). "Wexford teen star hopes to keep good times rolling with Ireland after cup dream becomes reality". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Healy, Martin (1 December 2021). "Wexford Youths dominate in 2021 SSE Airtricity Women's National League Team of the Season". Extra.ie. DMG Media. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
- ^ "Aoibheann Clancy". FAI Schools. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Ireland Schools secure John Read Cup". Football Association of Ireland. 13 March 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Tipperary girls soccer star Aoibheann making big impact with Irish team". The Nationalist (Tipperary). 16 March 2018. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Kinsella, Colm (29 October 2018). "Three Limerick players help Rep of Ireland U-17s reach European Championship elite phase". Limerick Leader. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "WU19 | Review of 2021". Football Association of Ireland. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Saunders, Joe (16 September 2021). "Limerick native Aoibheann Clancy receives Ireland international senior team call-up". Limerick Post. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Trio called up to WNT squad for Australia". Football Association of Ireland. 14 September 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Aoibheann Clancy makes her full debut for Ireland". Wexford People. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Five Players On The Rise". Women's National League (Ireland). 21 October 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ "Rising Stars: Nine to Watch in 2021". Women's National League (Ireland). 19 March 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
- ^ Roche, Marian (13 October 2022). "Kilbehenny's Aoibheann Clancy has eyes set on World Cup". The Avondhu. Retrieved 10 December 2022.
External links edit
- Aoibheann Clancy at Soccerway