Méabh De Búrca

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Méabh De Búrca

| fullname = Méabh De Búrca{{NFF}}

| image = Meabh De Burca.jpg

| image_size = 275px

| caption = De Búrca playing for Ireland in 2015

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|8|11}}

| birth_place = Galway, Ireland

| height = {{height|m=1.63}}

| position = Defender / Midfielder

| currentclub = Galway

| clubnumber = 5

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Salthill Devon

| years1 = 2000–2009

| clubs1 = Salthill Devon

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2007–2009

| clubs2 = → Galway

| caps2 =

| goals2 =

| years3 = 2009–2011

| clubs3 = New Haven Chargers

| caps3 =

| goals3 =

| years4 = 2011

| clubs4 = Boston Aztec

| caps4 = 13

| goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2012

| clubs5 = Amazon Grimstad

| caps5 = 18

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2013

| clubs6 = Eskilstuna United

| caps6 = 26

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2013–2017

| clubs7 = Galway

| caps7 =

| goals7 =

| nationalyears1 = 2006–2017

| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland

| nationalcaps1 = 52

| nationalgoals1 = 0

}}

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

Image:Meabh de Burca.jpg De Búrca joined Salthill Devon in 2000, initially playing in the boys' team.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2009/08/irish-stars-preparing-for-world-cup-qualifying/|title=Irish stars prepare for World Cup qualifying|publisher=The Sport Review|accessdate=7 April 2011|date=24 August 2009|first=Kieran|last=Beckles}} She progressed through the ranks alongside Niamh Fahey, and the pair helped Galway win the 2007 FAI Women's Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1014/ladiesfaicup.html |title=Galway League 1-0 Raheny United |publisher=RTÉ |accessdate=7 April 2011 |date=14 October 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204063137/http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1014/ladiesfaicup.html |archivedate=4 December 2008 }} While Fahey departed to Arsenal Ladies, De Búrca stayed in Ireland and represented Galway in the 2008–09 UEFA Women's Cup.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/womensworldcup/teams/player=102190/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713084938/http://www.uefa.com/womensworldcup/teams/player=102190/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 July 2011|title=Meabh De Burca|publisher=UEFA|accessdate=7 April 2011}}

In 2009 De Búrca moved to the University of New Haven on a soccer scholarship.{{cite web|url=http://www.newhavenchargers.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=501|title=#9 Meabh De Burca|publisher=University of New Haven|accessdate=7 April 2011}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.mutinysoccer.com/11-CHAMPIONSHIP-GUIDE.pdf|title=2011 National Championship|publisher=WPSL|accessdate=17 August 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330221046/http://www.mutinysoccer.com/11-CHAMPIONSHIP-GUIDE.pdf|archivedate=30 March 2012}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.chargerbulletin.com/2012/02/01/womens-soccer-alumna-signs-professionally-in-norway/|title=2011 National Championship|publisher=Women’s Soccer Alumna Signs Professionally in Norway|accessdate=6 February 2012|date=1 February 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610210122/http://www.chargerbulletin.com/2012/02/01/womens-soccer-alumna-signs-professionally-in-norway/|archivedate=10 June 2015}}

De Búrca spent the 2013 season playing for Eskilstuna United alongside compatriot Louise Quinn. The team won the Elitettan and promotion into the Damallsvenskan.{{cite web|url=http://theemeraldexiles.com/2013/10/11/meabh-de-burca-when-i-came-back-from-football-id-be-on-a-low/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101000936/http://theemeraldexiles.com/2013/10/11/meabh-de-burca-when-i-came-back-from-football-id-be-on-a-low/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=1 November 2013|title=Meabh De Burca – "I knew my time was limited and I wanted to try something else"|publisher=The Emerald Exiles|accessdate=14 December 2013|date=11 October 2013|first=Barry|last=Landy}} In December 2013 De Búrca signed for new Women's National League entrant Galway W.F.C.{{cite web|url=http://www.galwayindependent.com/20131211/news/galway-wfc-sign-de-burca-from-swedish-side-S29128.html|title=Galway WFC sign De Búrca from Swedish side|work=Galway Independent|accessdate=14 December 2013|date=11 December 2013}}

International career

De Búrca has won over 50 caps for Ireland, having previously represented her country at Under–17 level and as captain of the Under–19 team. Her full international debut came in a 1–0 defeat to Italy at Richmond Park in September 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.salthilldevon.ie/ladies/index.htm|title=Ladies Soccer|publisher=Salthill Devon|accessdate=7 April 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115111324/http://www.salthilldevon.ie/ladies/index.htm|archivedate=15 November 2006}}

In 2007, while a student at NUI Galway, De Búrca played for Irish Universities at the 2007 Summer Universiade in Bangkok.{{cite web|url=http://cusai.ie/event.php?event_id=216&action=News&news_id=3080 |title=Irish Delegation for World University Games Announced |publisher=Colleges and Universities Sports Association of Ireland |accessdate=7 April 2011 |date=24 July 2007 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071119060108/http://www.cusai.ie/event.php?event_id=216&action=News&news_id=3080 |archivedate=19 November 2007 }}