Yvonne Tracy
Encyclopedia
Yvonne Tracy is an Irish female international football defender. She currently plays club football for Arsenal Ladies
.
. She joined Arsenal Ladies
in August 2000 with compatriots Susan Heapes and Caroline Thorpe
, and at the same time as Jayne Ludlow
. One of seven Irish
players then in the Arsenal squad, Tracy was employed in the club's laundry. 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.
During a league match in 2006 Tracy suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury
which kept her out of action for over a year. Republic of Ireland
manager Noel King
praised Tracy's "incredible spirit" in coming back. However, an injury to the same knee curtailed her appearances in season 2008–09.
U18 team who topped their qualifying group in 1999. 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. After becoming a regular at full international level Tracy was nominated for the International Player of the Year in 2000.
Tracy has since won over 40 senior caps for Ireland and was Irish International Player of the Year in 2002. In October 2009 she came on as a substitute for the injured Stef Curtis
and scored the winner in Kazhakstan in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 6
game. 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."
also spent time at Arsenal, before returning home to Galway United in January 2007.
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
.
Club career
Tracy began her career with Lifford in County ClareCounty Clare
-History:There was a Neolithic civilisation in the Clare area — the name of the peoples is unknown, but the Prehistoric peoples left evidence behind in the form of ancient dolmen; single-chamber megalithic tombs, usually consisting of three or more upright stones...
. She joined Arsenal Ladies
Arsenal L.F.C.
Arsenal Ladies Football Club are an English women's association football club affiliated with Arsenal F.C.. Founded in 1987, they are the most successful club in English women's football having won 34 major trophies to date; which are 12 FA Women's Premier League titles, 11 FA Women's Cups, ten...
in August 2000 with compatriots Susan Heapes and Caroline Thorpe
Caroline Thorpe
Caroline Thorpe is an Irish former international football midfielder. During her career she represented Arsenal Ladies and Leeds United Ladies, as well as Memphis Mercury.-Club career:...
, and at the same time as Jayne Ludlow
Jayne Ludlow
Jayne Louise Ludlow is a Welsh football player. She plays for the English side Arsenal, and captains the Welsh national team...
. One of seven Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
players then in the Arsenal squad, Tracy was employed in the club's laundry. She won the domestic treble in her first season, and was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Fulham
Fulham L.F.C.
WFC Fulham, previously known as Fulham LFC, was a Ladies Football Club formerly associated with Fulham Football Club. The team were dissolved as of 16 May 2006, but were later re-established with independence from Fulham F.C....
in the 2001 FA Women's Cup
FA Women's Cup
The Football Association Women’s Challenge Cup Competition, commonly referred to as the FA Women's Cup, is the top cup competition for women's football clubs in England – designed as an exact equivalent to the FA Cup created 99 years earlier...
final.
During a league match in 2006 Tracy suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury
Anterior cruciate ligament injury
An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament can be a debilitating musculoskeletal injury to the knee, seen most often in athletes. Non-contact tears and ruptures are the most common causes of ACL injury....
which kept her out of action for over a year. Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland women's national football team
The Republic of Ireland women's national football team, selects players from both the 350 Women's Football Association of Ireland teams, in 21 affiliate leagues throughout the nation, and the international women's football community. The WFAI was founded in 1973...
manager Noel King
Noel King
Noel King is a former footballer and currently is the Republic of Ireland Under 21 manager having being appointed on 19 July 2010.-Playing career:...
praised Tracy's "incredible spirit" in coming back. However, an injury to the same knee curtailed her appearances in season 2008–09.
International career
Tracy began playing for the national U16 and U18 teams in 1997, alongside Lifford Ladies team-mates Aoife Healy and Áine Greene. While still playing for Lifford, Tracy impressed as captain of the IrishRepublic of Ireland women's national football team
The Republic of Ireland women's national football team, selects players from both the 350 Women's Football Association of Ireland teams, in 21 affiliate leagues throughout the nation, and the international women's football community. The WFAI was founded in 1973...
U18 team who topped their qualifying group in 1999. Her performances earned her a starting place in the senior team for a match against Croatia
Croatia women's national football team
The Croatia women's national football team represents the Republic of Croatia in international football. The team is controlled by the Croatian Football Federation, the governing body for football in the country.-World Cup record:...
, though she had already featured against the Czech Republic
Czech Republic women's national football team
The Czech Republic women's national football team are the official football women's team for the Czech Republic, they are currently ranked 26th in the world . At the moment, the captain of the team is Eva Šmeralová, who plays for Sparta Prague....
in a 1-1 away draw. After becoming a regular at full international level Tracy was nominated for the International Player of the Year in 2000.
Tracy has since won over 40 senior caps for Ireland and was Irish International Player of the Year in 2002. In October 2009 she came on as a substitute for the injured Stef Curtis
Stef Curtis
Stefanie Leanne "Stef" Curtis is a footballer who plays for Birmingham City Ladies and the Republic of Ireland. She plays mainly as a midfielder or forward, but has also provided cover as an emergency goalkeeper.-Club career:...
and scored the winner in Kazhakstan in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 6
2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 6
The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification UEFA Group 6 was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. The group comprised Russia, the Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Israel and Kazakhstan....
game. 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."
Personal life
Tracy's younger brother ShaneShane Tracy
Shane Tracy is an Irish footballer, who plays as a midfielder for Limerick.-Playing career:A midfielder, Tracy is a former academy player of English Premier League club Arsenal. He is a predominantly a left-winger, but can also play at full back. He was released by Arsenal in January 2007 to join...
also spent time at Arsenal, before returning home to Galway United in January 2007.
External links
- Yvonne Tracy at Arsenal.com
- Yvonne Tracy at UEFAUEFAThe Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer....