Yvonne Tracy (born 27 February 1981) is an Irish female international football defender. She is a well known player at the club and international level, competing in youth cups beginning at age 16.

Yvonne Tracy
Personal information
Date of birth (1981-02-27) 27 February 1981 (age 43)
Place of birth Limerick, Ireland
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Lifford
St Patrick's Athletic Ladies
2000–2014 Arsenal
International career
Republic of Ireland
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career edit

Tracy began her career with Lifford in County Clare.[1] She joined Arsenal Ladies in August 2000[2] with compatriots Susan Heapes and Caroline Thorpe, and at the same time as Jayne Ludlow.[3] One of seven Irish players then in the Arsenal squad,[4] Tracy was employed in the club's laundry.[5] She won the domestic treble in her first season, and was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Fulham in the 2001 FA Women's Cup final.[6]

During a league match in 2006 Tracy suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury[7] which kept her out of action for over a year.[8] Republic of Ireland manager Noel King praised Tracy's "incredible spirit" in coming back.[8] However, an injury to the same knee curtailed her appearances in season 2008–09.[9]

Tracy left Arsenal in February 2014.[10]

International career edit

Tracy began playing for the national U16 and U18 teams in 1997, alongside Lifford Ladies teammates Aoife Healy and Áine Greene.[11] While still playing for Lifford, Tracy impressed as captain of the Irish U18 team who topped their qualifying group in 1999.[12] Her performances earned her a starting place in the senior team for a match against Croatia, though she had already featured against the Czech Republic in a 1–1 away draw.[12] After becoming a regular at full international level Tracy was nominated for the International Player of the Year in 2000.[13]

Tracy has since won over 40 senior caps for Ireland[14] and was Irish International Player of the Year in 2002.[15] In October 2009 she came on as a substitute for the injured Stef Curtis and scored the winner in Kazakhstan in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 6 game.[16][17] Tracy said: "It has been a long, long road to recovery, but it is exciting to return to the pitch and a match-winning goal is a fantastic boost."[18]

References edit

  1. ^ "Senior Women Player Profiles". Football Association of Ireland. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  2. ^ "3. Yvonne Tracy". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 13 August 2009.
  3. ^ Jennifer O'Neill (5 August 2000). "Charlton bid to kick off new era in style". The Times. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  4. ^ Pat Nugent (8 April 2001). "The women behind the greening of the Gunners". The Tribune. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  5. ^ Sue Mott (24 November 2007). "FA can learn from winning Arsenal Ladies". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  6. ^ Eric Beauchamp (8 May 2001). "Banks has measure of Fulham". The Independent. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  7. ^ Anna Kessel (28 October 2008). "Are Women More Prone to Injury?". The Observer. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  8. ^ a b "Nominees for The Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year Award 2009". The Irish Times. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  9. ^ Mark Dunphy (17 March 2010). "Tracy Embarks For Crucial Euro Encounter in Israel". Clare Herald. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  10. ^ "Ciara Grant and Yvonne Tracy have left Arsenal Ladies". The Football Association. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  11. ^ "International Players". Lifford Ladies FC. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  12. ^ a b "Latest Lifford News". Lifford Ladies FC. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  13. ^ Declan Hughes (27 October 2000). "Opel's Ireland Player of the Year nominees". Women's Soccer World. Archived from the original on 2 December 2010. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  14. ^ "Ladies". Arsenal Insider. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  15. ^ "Yvonne Tracy". Arsenal Dublin. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  16. ^ Yvonne Tracy seals win for Irish Women FAI, 29 October 2009
  17. ^ "Limerick woman Yvonne Tracy wins monthly award". Limerick Post Sports Blog. Retrieved 3 October 2010.
  18. ^ "Monthly award for Yvonne Tracy". RTÉ Sport. 12 November 2009. Retrieved 3 October 2010.

External links edit