Grainne Kierans
Gráinne Kierans (born 20 September 1978) is an Irish football coach and former player who was the head coach of Shamrock Rovers team who play in the Women's National League (Ireland). Kierans, the holder of a UEFA A licence, played as a midfielder or striker for several English clubs and represented the Republic of Ireland national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Grainne Kierans | ||
| Date of birth | 20 September 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Drogheda, Ireland | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| –1999 | St Patrick's Athletic Ladies | ||
| 1999–2001 | Arsenal Ladies | ||
| 2001–2003 | Charlton Athletic Ladies | ||
| 2003–2004 | Leeds United Ladies | ||
| 2004–2005 | Doncaster Rovers Belles | ||
| 2005–2006 | Bristol Academy | ||
| 2007 | Drogheda United Ladies | ||
| 2008–2009 | St. Francis | ||
| International career | |||
| Republic of Ireland | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Club career
As a 20-year-old, Kierans spent a summer playing semi-professionally in Denmark.[1] From here she was signed by Arsenal, before moving on to Charlton Athletic two years later. At Arsenal she had been one of seven Irish players then at the club,[2] including her former St Patrick's Athletic L.F.C. teammates Emma Byrne and Ciara Grant. Kierans quit Charlton in 2003[3] then had single season spells with Leeds United, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Bristol Academy.[1]
Kierans returned to Ireland in 2006 through work,[4] then played for Drogheda United[5] and St. Francis. She won the FAI Women's Cup with St. Francis in 2008[6] then retired in 2009[1] after playing in the 2009–10 UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round.[7]
International career
Kierans represented the Republic of Ireland in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification (UEFA) tournament while attached to St. Patrick's Athletic.[8] She went on to captain the side[1] and was still a member of the squad after returning from her club career in England.[5]
Personal life
After returning to Ireland Kierans ran a gym in Ballyjamesduff.[1]
See also
References
- Sean McMahon (6 August 2008). "Fit Force girls at large". The Anglo Celt. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- Pat Nugent (8 April 2001). "The women behind the greening of the Gunners". The Tribune. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- Marcus Cavaroli (18 July 2003). "Kierans set for Leeds". The Drogheda Independent. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- "Gas get fired up". TheFA.com. 31 July 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- "Irish squads named". Fair Game. 5 September 2006. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- "St. Francis win FAI Umbro Women's Cup in dramatic fashion". FAI.ie. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- "Grainne Kierans". UEFA. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- Michael Scully (27 November 1997). "GREG LEGS IT; FOOTBALL: GREG O'DOWD SIGNS FOR DROGHEDA UNITED". The Mirror.