Megan Campbell
{{short description|Irish footballer (born 1993)|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Megan Campbell
| image = Megan Campbell (21384714842).jpg
| caption = FSU defender Megan Campbell in September 2015
| full_name =
| image_size =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1993|6|28}}
| birth_place = Drogheda, Ireland
| height = 1.73 m
| position = Centre back, left back
| currentclub = London City Lionesses
| clubnumber = 6
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Grove Rangers
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Boyne Rovers
| youthyears3 =
| youthclubs3 = Moneymore
| youthyears4 =
| youthclubs4 = Shelbourne
| collegeyears1 = 2013–2015
| college1 = Florida State Seminoles
| collegecaps1 = 60
| collegegoals1 = 4
| years1 = 2010–2011
| clubs1 = St Francis
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2011–2013
| clubs2 = Raheny United
| caps2 =
| goals2 =
| years3 = 2016–2021
| clubs3 = Manchester City{{Soccerway|megan-campbell/139958}}
| caps3 = 42
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2021–2023
| clubs4 = Liverpool
| caps4 = 27
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2023
| clubs5 = Everton
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2023–
| clubs6 = London City Lionesses
| caps6 = 21
| goals6 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2010–2011
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U17
| nationalcaps1 = 4
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2011–
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland
| nationalcaps2 = 55
| nationalgoals2 = 4
| pcupdate = 6 May 2025
| ntupdate = 21 April 2025
}}
Megan Campbell (born 28 June 1993) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Women's Championship club London City Lionesses and as a left back & center back for the Republic of Ireland women's national team. She has previously played for St. Francis, Raheny United, Florida State Seminoles, Manchester City and Liverpool. In 2010, she was a member of the Republic of Ireland U-17 squad that were runners-up at the 2010 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship and quarter-finalists at the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.{{Cite web |title=Megan Campbell | Football Association of Ireland |url=https://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/1909451 |website=www.fai.ie}} Campbell is known as a long throw-in specialist and has been compared to Rory Delap.{{Cite web |date=3 December 2014 |title=How Florida State's Megan Campbell Throws Opponents For A Loop |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/news-commentary/article/11972940/how-florida-state-megan-campbell-throws-opponents-loop |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=8 April 2014 |title=Here's why Megan Campbell is being called the new Rory Delap |url=http://www.the42.ie/megan-campbell-ireland-womens-team-throw-ins-1404795-Apr2014/ |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=www.the42.ie}} She holds the Guinness World Record for longest throw-in by a woman, at 37.55m.{{cite news|first=Lynn|url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/irish-footballer-breaks-guinness-world-record-for-longest-throw-in-1761005.html|title=Megan Campbell breaks Guinness World Record for longest throw-in|last=Rusk|date=9 May 2025|work=Breakingnews.ie}}
Early life
Campbell was born in Drogheda, County Louth and is the daughter of Eamonn and Suzanne Campbell. She is a granddaughter of The Dubliners lead guitarist, Eamonn Campbell. She has three sisters – Jaymee, Dawn and Jade. She grew up on Drogheda's Scarlet Street and was educated at Our Lady's College, Greenhills and at the Institute of Technology, Carlow. She also played youth football with local Drogheda teams – Grove Rangers, Boyne Rovers and Moneymore.{{Cite web |title=Soccer Graduates & Former Students |url=https://www.itcarlow.ie/student-life/life-at-itcarlow/sportingexcellence/soccer-student-profiles-achievements/soccer-graduates-former-students.htm |website=www.itcarlow.ie}}{{Cite web |title=Megan Campbell at www.seminoles.com |url=http://www.seminoles.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209574206 |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=www.seminoles.com |archive-date=17 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170117021043/http://www.seminoles.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209574206 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |title=Local trio help fire St Francis to WFAI Cup glory |date=29 July 2009 |url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/sport/soccer/local-trio-help-fire-st-francis-to-wfai-cup-glory-27136795.html |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=www.independent.ie}}{{Cite web |title=Megan Campbell: Throwing down a marker in the Sunshine State |url=http://www.theemeraldexiles.com/2014/05/06/megan-campbell-throwing-down-a-marker-in-the-sunshine-state/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720044006/http://theemeraldexiles.com/2014/05/06/megan-campbell-throwing-down-a-marker-in-the-sunshine-state/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=20 July 2014 |access-date=23 January 2016 |publisher=www.theemeraldexiles.com}}
Playing career
=St Francis=
In 2009, four weeks after turning 16, Campbell came on as a substitute for St Francis in the FAI Women's Cup final against St Catherine's. Her teammates included Grainne Kierans and Mary Waldron. Campbell also played for St Francis in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 UEFA Women's Champions League group stage tournaments.{{Cite web |title=St. Francis secure first win in UEFA Womens Champions League | Football Association of Ireland |url=https://www.fai.ie/domestic/news/st-francis-secure-first-win-in-uefa-womens-champions-league |website=www.fai.ie}}{{Cite news |date=11 August 2010 |title=NK Osijek 3-5 St Francis |work=RTÉ Sport |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0811/269134-stfrancis_ladies/}}
=Raheny United=
In 2012–13 Campbell was a member of the Raheny United team that won an FAI Women's Cup and Women's National League double. In October 2012, Raheny United defeated Peamount United 2–1 in the FAI Women's Cup final at Dalymount Park before going on to win the WNL title. Campbell was subsequently named in the 2012–13 WNL Team of the Season. Campbell's teammates at Raheny United included Mary Waldron, Noelle Murray, Ciara Grant and Siobhán Killeen.{{Cite web |date=14 October 2012 |title=Raheny United 2-1 Peamount United |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2012/1014/341651-raheny-land-first-fai-womens-cup/ |access-date=24 January 2016 |publisher=RTE Sport}}{{Cite web |title=2012-13 WNL Award Winners |url=http://wnl.fai.ie/images/Awards_2013/2012-13_WNL_Award_Winners.pdf |access-date=24 January 2016 |publisher=wnl.fai.ie |archive-date=18 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171118222556/http://wnl.fai.ie/images/Awards_2013/2012-13_WNL_Award_Winners.pdf |url-status=dead }}
=Florida State Seminoles=
In 2013 Campbell began playing for Florida State Seminoles after obtaining a scholarship to Florida State University, where she majored in social science. In her first three seasons with Florida State she has played in at least 60 games, excluding friendlies, and was credited with 31 assists. Between 2013 and 2015 she helped Florida State win three consecutive ACC titles. In 2014 Campbell was named in the ACC All-Tournament Team and in the 2015 ACC final she scored in the penalty shoot-out against Virginia Cavaliers. In 2013 Florida State were also runners up in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship before going on to win the title in 2014. In 2015 Campbell acted as a recruiter for Florida State when she approached fellow Republic of Ireland women's youth international, Megan Connolly, about playing for the Seminoles.{{Cite web |title=The Emerald Exiles Campbell and Connolly embark on Seminole's 2015/16 season |url=http://www.theemeraldexiles.com/2015/08/20/campbell-and-connolly-embark-on-seminoles-201516-season/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821044823/http://www.theemeraldexiles.com/2015/08/20/campbell-and-connolly-embark-on-seminoles-201516-season/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=21 August 2015 |website=The Emerald Exiles}}{{Cite web |title=AUDIO: Megan Connolly Speaks on Switch to States |url=http://157-54ecb1973060e.radiocms.com/news/sport/audio-megan-connolly-speaks-on-switch-to-states/ |website=Cork's RedFM}}
Campbell had been described as a senior in Florida State Seminoles' 2014 title-winning season and had been expected to feature in the 2015 NWSL College Draft. But it was discovered she had another year of college eligibility remaining and wished to use that instead.{{Cite news |last=Kassouf |first=Jeff |date=9 January 2015 |title=NWSL releases initial list of draft-eligible players |publisher=The Equalizer |url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2015/01/09/2015-nwsl-draft-eligible-players-list-preliminary/ |access-date=24 January 2016}} After completing her college career, Campbell was also "noticeably absent" from the 2016 NWSL College Draft.{{Cite news |date=6 January 2016 |title=145 players initially declare for 2016 NWSL Draft |publisher=The Equalizer |url=http://equalizersoccer.com/2016/01/06/2016-nwsl-college-draft-eligible-players-list/ |access-date=24 January 2016}}
=Manchester City=
File:20171004 UWCL SKN-MCW StPoelten Megan Campbell 850 1282.jpg
In February 2016 Campbell became Manchester City's fourth signing of the off-season, announcing that she had signed a professional contract with the English UEFA Women's Champions League contenders.{{Cite web |title=Megan Campbell's official bio |url=https://www.mancity.com/megan-campbell |access-date=8 February 2017 |publisher=Manchester City FC}}{{Cite news |date=15 February 2016 |title=Manchester City: Megan Campbell joins Women's Super League side |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35581925 |access-date=16 February 2016}} She won a domestic treble with the club, then signed a contract extension in June 2017.{{Cite news |last=Flathers |first=Tom |date=20 June 2017 |title=Megan Campbell signs contract extension |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/mcwfc/picture%20special/2017/june/megan%20campbell%20contract%20extension%20gallery |access-date=17 June 2018}} Campbell had played particularly well in the 2017 FA Women's Cup Final, serving two assists as Manchester City beat Birmingham City 4–1 at Wembley Stadium.{{Cite news |date=13 May 2017 |title=Megan Campbell plays her part in Manchester City cup success |publisher=Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/megan-campbell-plays-her-part-in-manchester-city-cup-success-1.3082516 |access-date=4 September 2022}}
She suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in November 2017 during a UEFA Women's Champions League match against LSK Kvinner FK and was ruled out for several months.{{Cite news |last=McDonnell |first=Daniel |date=20 January 2018 |title=Campbell's rocky road back from injury |publisher=Irish Independent |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/other-soccer/campbells-rocky-road-back-from-injury-36509705.html |access-date=17 June 2018}} In June 2020 she signed a new one-year contract with Manchester City while recovering from another long-term injury, this time to tendons in her foot.
=Liverpool=
In June 2021, Women's Championship club Liverpool signed Campbell, after her five-year spell at Manchester City. She overcame some injury-related absence in the first part of the 2021–22 season to become an important member of the title-winning Liverpool team who won promotion back to the Women's Super League. She signed a new contract with Liverpool in June 2022.{{Cite news |last=Frith |first=Wilf |date=28 June 2022 |title=Megan Campbell signs new contract with Liverpool Women |publisher=She Kicks |url=https://shekicks.net/megan-campbell-signs-new-contract-with-liverpool-women/ |access-date=3 September 2022}}
=Everton=
On 29 September 2023, Everton signed Campbell on a short-term deal.{{cite web |title=Campbell Signs For Everton |url=https://www.evertonfc.com/news/3704268/campbell-signs-for-everton |website=www.evertonfc.com |date=29 September 2023 |access-date=30 September 2023}}{{cite web |title=Megan Campbell: Everton sign former Liverpool defender on short-term deal |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66958783 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=30 September 2023 |date=29 September 2023}}
=London City Lionesses=
On 31 January 2024, transfer deadline day, London City Lionesses signed Campbell on an 18-month contract following the expiration of her contract with Everton.{{cite web |title=Defender Megan Campbell joins London City Lionesses |url=https://www.londoncitylionesses.com/post/defender-megan-campbell-joins-london-city-lionesses-on-transfer-deadline-day |website=London City Lionesses |access-date=20 November 2024}}
International career
=Youth=
File:Megan Campbell.jpg against United States on 10 May 2015]]
Campbell has represented the Republic of Ireland at U-17, U-19 and senior level.{{Cite web |title=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/womensworldcup/season=2015/teams/player=1909451/profile/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220002715/https://www.uefa.com/womensworldcup/season=2015/teams/player=1909451/profile/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 December 2018}} In 2010 she was a member of the Republic of Ireland U-17 squad that were runners-up in the 2010 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship and quarter-finalists in the 2010 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.{{Cite web |date=6 September 2010 |title=List of Players - Republic of Ireland |url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/FU17W/2010/pdf/FU17W_2010_SquadLists.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208140652/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FU17W/2010/pdf/FU17W_2010_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=28 November 2015 |publisher=FIFA}} In the UEFA championship, Campbell scored twice: the winner in 2–1 group victory against Sweden{{Cite web |title=Republic of Ireland-Sweden | Women's Under-17 2010 |url=https://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/match/2001867--republic-of-ireland-vs-sweden/ |website=UEFA}} and the semi-final goal in the 1–0 win over Germany.{{Cite web |title=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/matches/season=2010/live/day=28/session=1/match=2002361/matchcenterlight/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130205154433/http://www.uefa.com/womensunder17/matches/season=2010/live/day=28/session=1/match=2002361/matchcenterlight/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 February 2013}} In the World Cup, Campbell scored the opening goal in a 3–0 win against Ghana.{{Cite web |date=6 July 2013 |title=FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup - Previous Tournaments |url=http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u17womensworldcup/trinidadandtobago2010/matches/round=253559/match=300125768/report.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706051719/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/u17womensworldcup/trinidadandtobago2010/matches/round=253559/match=300125768/report.html |archive-date=6 July 2013 }}
=Senior=
Campbell played for a senior Republic of Ireland team of home-based players in a behind closed doors match against Northern Ireland. She then won her first official cap in a friendly against Switzerland at Richmond Park in August 2011.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2011 |title=Campbell all set for senior cap |url=http://www.drogheda-independent.ie/sport/soccer/campbell-all-set-for-senior-cap-2857521.html |access-date=7 December 2012 |publisher=Drogheda Independent}} Campbell came on as substitute for Louise Quinn after 62 minutes during the 1–0 defeat by the Swiss.{{Cite web |date=24 August 2011 |title=Rep of Ireland Women v Switzerland Women |url=http://www.extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/107/2011/17748/1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407075344/http://www.extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/107/2011/17748/1/ |archive-date=7 April 2014 |access-date=7 December 2012 |publisher=Extratime.ie}} On 5 April 2014 in a 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifier against Germany at Tallaght Stadium, Campbell provided two assists with throw-ins. Despite Campbell's effort the Republic of Ireland lost 3–2.
After a two-year absence due to injuries, Campbell was called up to the senior Republic of Ireland squad again in February 2022, for the 2022 Pinatar Cup in Murcia.{{Cite news |last=Slattery |first=Will |date=11 February 2022 |title=Megan Campbell returns as Vera Pauw names Ireland squad for Pinatar Cup |publisher=Irish Independent |url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/megan-campbell-returns-as-vera-pauw-names-ireland-squad-for-pinatar-cup-41337578.html |access-date=3 September 2022}} On 1 September 2022 Campbell started her first competitive national team match for three years in Ireland's play-off-securing 1–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A win over Finland at Tallaght Stadium.{{Cite news |last=Pyne |first=Anthony |date=1 September 2022 |title=Campbell makes first Ireland start in three years |publisher=RTÉ Sport |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0901/1320056-campbell-makes-first-ireland-start-in-three-years/ |access-date=3 September 2022}} She was not chosen for the squad to participate in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup squad.{{Cite news |last=Pyne |first=Anthony |date=28 June 2023 |title=Mannion, Campbell & Kiernan miss out on World Cup |work=RTÉ Sport |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023/0628/1391545-mannion-campbell-kiernan-miss-out-on-world-cup/}}
=International=
| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | ||
| scope="col" | National team
!scope="col" | Year | scope="col"| Apps | scope="col"| Goals |
|---|---|---|
| rowspan="10"|Republic of Ireland
|scope="row"| 2011 | 4 | 0 |
| scope="row"| 2012 | 8 | 0 |
| scope="row"| 2013 | 7 | 1 |
| scope="row"| 2014 | 7 | 0 |
| scope="row"| 2015 | 7 | 1 |
| scope="row"| 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| scope="row"| 2017 | 4 | 1 |
| scope="row"| 2019 | 3 | 0 |
| scope="row"| 2022 | 4 | 1 |
| scope="row"| 2023 | 1 | 0 |
| colspan="2"|Total | 47 | 4 |
=International goals=
:Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goals first. Score column indicates score after each Campbell goal. Updated as of 5 May 2023.
Playing style
According to her Liverpool manager Matt Beard, Campbell is an adaptable left-sided defensive player: "Meg offers a bit of versatility as she can play centre-back or left-back".{{Cite news |last=Frith |first=Wilf |date=24 June 2021 |title=Liverpool Women sign Megan Campbell |publisher=She Kicks |url=https://shekicks.net/liverpool-women-sign-megan-campbell/ |access-date=3 September 2022}} Throughout her career she has been renowned as a long throw-in specialist: "Fortunately, my arms are quite hyper-mobile and can go further back than the average person".{{Cite news |last=Fennessy |first=Paul |date=20 September 2017 |title=Megan Campbell's insanely long throws can help take Ireland's footballers to greater heights |publisher=The 42.ie |url=https://www.the42.ie/megan-campbells-insanely-long-throw-3606755-Sep2017/ |access-date=3 September 2022}} In 2020 Campbell declared that she wanted to be known for more than her exceptionally long throw-ins and persistent injuries.{{Cite news |last=Oatway |first=Caroline |date=28 June 2020 |title=Campbell: I want to be remembered for more than throw-ins and injuries! |publisher=Manchester City F.C. |url=https://www.mancity.com/news/womens/megan-campbell-positive-outlook-63728774 |access-date=3 September 2022}} In April 2025 at the London City Lionesses, Kent training ground. Campbell broke the Guinness World Record for the longest ever throw-in by a female footballer at 37.55m.{{cite web |title=Irish footballer breaks longest throw-in world record
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d49y5k30ko |website=BBC News |access-date=9 May 2025 |date=9 May 2025}}
Honours
=Individual=
- 2012–13 WNL Team of the Season
- 2014 ACC All-Tournament Team
=Team=
- FAI Women's Cup
- Winner: 2009
- Women's National League
- Winner: 2012–13
- FAI Women's Cup
- Winner: 2012
- NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship
- Winner: 2014
- Runner Up: 2013
- ACC Women's Soccer Tournament
- Winner: 2013, 2014, 2015: 3
- UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship
- Runner Up: 2010
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{Soccerway|megan-campbell/139958}}
- {{Twitter}}
- {{FIFA|325646}}
- {{UEFA|1909451}}
- [http://www.fai.ie/ireland/player/1909451 Megan Campbell] at FAI
- [https://www.liverpoolfc.com/team/womens/player/megan-campbell Megan Campbell] at Liverpool F.C. Women
{{London City Lionesses squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Campbell, Megan}}
Category:Republic of Ireland women's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland women's international footballers
Category:St Francis L.F.C. players
Category:Raheny United F.C. players
Category:Florida State Seminoles women's soccer players
Category:League of Ireland Women's Premier Division players
Category:Florida State University alumni
Category:Expatriate women's soccer players in the United States
Category:Association footballers from County Louth
Category:Women's Super League players
Category:Manchester City W.F.C. players
Category:Women's association football fullbacks
Category:Liverpool F.C. Women players
Category:Women's Super League 2 players
Category:Everton F.C. (women) players
Category:London City Lionesses players
Category:Sportspeople from Drogheda
Category:Republic of Ireland women's youth international footballers