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Louise Quinn

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Louise Quinn
Quinn with Eskilstuna United in 2014
Personal information
Full name Louise Catherine Quinn[1]
Date of birth (1990-06-17) 17 June 1990 (age 34)
Place of birth Blessington, Ireland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Centre back
Team information
Current team
 Birmingham City
Number 4
Youth career
Blessington Boys FC
Lakeside FC
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2012 Peamount United
2010 → UCD
2013–2016 Eskilstuna United 90 (13)
2017 Notts County 0 (0)
2017–2020 Arsenal 46 (5)
2020–2021 Fiorentina 20 (3)
2021– Birmingham City 80 (13)
International career‡
2008– Republic of Ireland 120 (15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:03, 18 September 2022 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 July 2024

Louise Catherine Quinn (born 17 June 1990) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a centre back for the Women's Championship club Birmingham City and the Republic of Ireland women's national team.

At club level Quinn began her senior career with Peamount United, captaining the club to the inaugural 2011–12 Women's National League title and featuring in the UEFA Women's Champions League. She spent four seasons in Sweden with Eskilstuna United from 2013 to 2016, then moved to England with Notts County who folded shortly afterwards. After joining Arsenal on an initial short-term contract in May 2017, she extended her terms and helped the North London club recapture the FA WSL title in 2018–19. Following her departure from Arsenal in 2020, Quinn spent 2020–21 with the Italian Serie A club Fiorentina Women, before joining Birmingham City in July 2021.

After winning her first senior cap in February 2008, Quinn has made over 105 appearances for the Republic of Ireland national team. She has been named the FAI Senior Women's International Player of the Year on two occasions, in 2013 and 2019.

Early life

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Louise Quinn was born and raised in Blessington, County Wicklow, the daughter of Jacinta and Pat Quinn.[2] She has two older sisters, Vivienne and Sinead.[3]

Gaelic football

[edit]

Her father had played Gaelic football for Wicklow GAA and Louise joined Blessington GAA, playing in the adult team as a 12-year-old goalkeeper. After a break from Gaelic football, Quinn returned to playing with Kilcullen GAA at around 18 or 19 years old, alongside her best friend and Peamount United team-mate Jenny Murphy. Although Quinn was subsequently called into training camps with the Kildare GAA team, she wanted to stay loyal to Wicklow.[4]

Club career

[edit]

Quinn began playing organised soccer with Blessington Boys' at under-6 level, alongside her friend Derek Balfe and his father Vincent, who coached the team.[3] Quinn then played girls' football with Lakeside FC of Wicklow[5] before joining County Dublin club Peamount United in 2004.

When Eileen Gleeson took over as Peamount United coach in 2006, she noticed Quinn's potential and appointed her to the club captaincy at 16 years old.[6] Quinn captained Peamount to the 2008 FAI Women's Cup final at Richmond Park, where they lost 2–1 to St Francis.[7] In 2010 Peamount won the FAI Cup final, after defeating Salthill Devon 4–2.[8] Quinn missed the occasion as she was on a work placement in the United States.[9]

In August 2011, Quinn scored a hat-trick against ŽNK Krka, as Peamount won 7–0 in the UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round in Slovenia.[10] In the inaugural 2011–12 Women's National League season, Quinn helped Peamount United secure the League title and was named in the Team of the Season.[11] After playing in Peamount's Champions League last-32 elimination by Paris Saint-Germain Féminine in September and October 2011, Quinn began to consider playing professionally overseas: "It was then that I started to think: 'Could I go abroad? Would I be good enough?'"[2]

Quinn moved to Swedish club Eskilstuna United in January 2013.[12] She proved a success in Sweden as Eskilstuna were promoted from the Elitettan in her first season and finished seventh in the top-level Damallsvenskan in her second. In 2015, the team finished runners-up to FC Rosengård and coach Viktor Eriksson described Quinn as one of the best defenders in the league.[13] In 2016 team captain Quinn was ever present in the league and played in the club's UEFA Women's Champions League campaign, but decided to leave Eskilstuna in November 2016.[14]

Quinn (4) captaining Birmingham City in 2022

In February 2017 Quinn signed for Notts County,[15] only for the club to fold in April just before the start of the FA WSL Spring Series season.[16] Quinn signed a short-term deal with Arsenal of the FA WSL on 3 May 2017.[17] She signed a new contract in May 2019.[18] With Arsenal Quinn was an important player in the team which won the 2018 FA WSL Cup Final and 2018–19 FA WSL, but played less regularly in 2019–20 and was given a free transfer on the expiry of her contract in June 2020.[19]

Fiorentina Women of the Italian Serie A signed Quinn to a one-year contract with a one-year option in July 2020.[20] After a 2020–21 season in which Fiorentina finished fourth in the League and were beaten 2–0 by Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana final, Quinn declined her one-year option and decided to leave the club.[21]

Instead Quinn accepted a two-year contract with Birmingham City.[22] She was immediately appointed the club captain, and debuted in a 1–0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day of the season.[23] Birmingham signed several other Irish players and by January 2022 Quinn was one of seven in the City squad.[24]

Despite Quinn's fine individual form, which saw her finish as the team's top goalscorer with five goals and be named FA WSL "Signing of the Season" by The Guardian, Birmingham City finished at the bottom of the table and were relegated at the end of the 2021–22 FA WSL campaign.[25] As Quinn had a relegation release clause in her contract she sought assurances from the club about promised improvements to their training facilities before deciding whether to stay on.[26]

Ultimately Quinn decided to remain with Birmingham City in the second tier, explaining that she enjoyed the club's Irish connections and working under coaches Darren Carter and Jo Potter.[27]

International career

[edit]

Youth

[edit]

Quinn captained the Ireland women's national football team at under-19 level,[28] making a total of 25 appearances to add to her five caps for Ireland under-17s.[29] She had been called into the national under-17 team as a precocious 14-year-old,[30] but the following year her progress was temporarily derailed by a hip fracture which took 10 months to heal.[2]

Senior

[edit]

Quinn made her senior bow in February 2008, as a last-minute substitute for Niamh Fahey in a 4–1 friendly win over Poland at John Hyland Park in Baldonnel, Dublin.[31] In October 2008 Quinn was named in a 22-player squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2009 qualifying play-off against Iceland, described by Ireland's manager Noel King as: "without doubt, the biggest game in the history of women's football in Ireland."[32]

In February 2009 Quinn won a second cap after making another substitute appearance, in a 2–0 friendly defeat by France.[31] After securing a regular position in the centre of Ireland's defence, Quinn was named the FAI Senior Women's International Player of the Year in 2013.[3]

Quinn continued to be selected by national team coach Susan Ronan and participated in Ireland's failed 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification campaign. On 5 April 2014 in a fixture against Germany at Tallaght Stadium, Quinn's header from Megan Campbell's long throw-in secured a 1–0 lead at half-time. This was the first goal the Germans had conceded in the series, but Ireland lost 3–2 when Melanie Leupolz scored an injury time winner.[33]

Under Ronan's successor Colin Bell, Quinn maintained her national team place. She played in Bell's first game in charge, a 2–0 win over the Czech Republic at the 2017 Cyprus Cup on 1 March 2017.[34] The following month, Quinn was among a delegation of 13 players who secured substantially improved working conditions for Ireland's female national team players, following a protracted dispute with the Football Association of Ireland.[35][36][37] After breaking her nose in a 2–0 defeat by Norway in Tallaght, she wore a protective face mask to play in a 1–0 defeat by the same opponents four days later which eliminated Ireland from 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification.[38]

In 2019 Quinn won the FAI Senior Women's International Player of the Year for a second time, after playing in all of Ireland's games during the calendar year.[39] She expressed disappointment and frustration when Colin Bell resigned from his coaching role in June 2019.[40]

Quinn continued to be an important player for Ireland under Vera Pauw in the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying Group I and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A campaigns. Her winning goal in a 3–2 friendly victory over Australia on 21 September 2021 at Tallaght Stadium arrested a seven-match losing run stretching over 18 months.[41]

In September 2022 she declared that Ireland had shed their "Spursy" label, after much improved results secured the team's place in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification – UEFA play-offs.[42]

Style of play

[edit]

Quinn is a commanding central defender, described as "towering" and "a rock".[43] She is particularly dominant in the air: "most of what I do in football involves heading the ball".[37] After scoring a typical headed goal against Australia in June 2022, Player of the Match Quinn jokingly referred to it as "the auld trademark".[44]

Quinn (16) heads for goal while playing for Arsenal against Lewes

Having become known as a strong, unshowy defender, Quinn developed other aspects of her game while playing for Arsenal: "There, I changed the sort of player that I was. I'm generally a real centre-back – tough, I love big tackles, get the ball as far away from goal as possible, literally do whatever it takes. But now you see that centre-backs are changing. It's more modern, you've got to be a ball-playing centre-back and I learned that at Arsenal. I learned to pass the ball around my own box and to play out of tight situations. I completely developed a new way of football, and to do that at 27, 28 and 29 – I loved it."[45]

Also renowned for her leadership qualities, Quinn's Birmingham City manager Scott Booth said of her: "I just know how much of a leader she is. She stands out, because of her physique [height], she's head and shoulders above the rest, she's a complete leader."[46] Ireland manager Vera Pauw likened Quinn to a tiger for her fighting qualities.[47]

Personal life

[edit]

After attending Newbridge College,[30] Quinn was awarded a Football Association of Ireland scholarship to University College Dublin,[48] from which she graduated with a degree in Sports and Exercise Management.[20] She also represented Irish Universities at the World University Games, playing in the 2009 tournament in Belgrade.[49]

Quinn has a form of dyslexia which hindered her learning Swedish and Italian during her stays in those countries. Her condition also made her exempt from mandatory Irish language classes at school, although patriotism led her to continue the subject and gain a pass mark at Leaving Cert level.[20]

Quinn is in a relationship with supermodel Eilish O’Gara. The couple live in Birmingham.[50]

She has worked for Raidió Teilifís Éireann as a television pundit, including at the 2018 FIFA World Cup,[51] and the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.[52][53]

Career statistics

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2008 1 0
2009 1 0
2011 4 0
2012 11 1
2013 6 1
2014 11 2
2015 7 1
2016 10 3
2017 10 0
2018 8 1
2019 8 1
2020 5 0
2021 9 1
2022 9 4
2023 3 0
Total 103 15
Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goals first. Score column indicates score after each Quinn goal. Updated as of 5 May 2023.
International goals scored by Louise Quinn
No. Cap Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 8 5 March 2012 Estádio Algarve, Faro  Portugal 1-1 1-2 2012 Algarve Cup [54]
2 18 6 March 2013 Tasos Markou, Paralimni  Northern Ireland 2-0 5-1 2013 Cyprus Cup [55]
3 25 7 March 2014 Tasos Markou, Paralimni  South Korea 1-0 1-1 2014 Cyprus Cup [56]
4 28 5 April 2014 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin  Germany 1-0 2-3 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup Qual. [57]
5 40 27 October 2015 Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas, Moreira de Cónegos  Portugal 1-1 2-1 2017 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. [58]
6 46 9 March 2016 Tasos Markou, Paralimni  Finland 2-0 2-0 2016 Cyprus Cup [59]
7 47 7 April 2016 Stadion pod Malim brdom, Petrovac  Montenegro 1-0 5-0 2017 UEFA Women's Championship Qual. [60]
8 50 7 June 2016 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin  Montenegro 6-0 9-0 [61]
9 63 21 January 2018 Estádio de São Miguel, The Azores  Portugal 3-0 3-1 Friendly [62]
10 72 5 March 2019 Estadio Municipal de Marbella, Marbella  Wales 1-0 1-0 Friendly [63]
11 87 21 September 2021 Tallaght Stadium, Dublin  Australia 3-2 3-2 Friendly [64]
12 92 16 February 2022 La Manga Club Football Stadium, La Manga  Poland 1-1 2-1 2022 Pinatar Cup [65]
13 96 27 June 2022 Tengiz Burjanadze Stadium, Gori  Georgia 5-0 9-0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup Qual. [66]
14 6-0
15 100 14 November 2022 Estadio Municipal de Marbella, Marbella  Morocco 3-0 4-0 Friendly [67]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 – Squad List: Republic Of Ireland (IRL)" (PDF). FIFA. 11 July 2023. p. 25. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Walker, Michael (22 December 2017). "The story of how a young Irish international became a star player in Sweden". The 42.ie. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "The mighty Quinn!". The Irish Independent. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  4. ^ McCadden, Mark (26 January 2022). "Ireland's Louise Quinn explains why she committed to football over other sports". Buzz.ie. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Lakeside lose out despite good display". Wicklow People. 12 September 2001. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  6. ^ "Louise Quinn in my own words". Arsenal F.C. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  7. ^ "St. Francis win FAI Umbro Women's Cup in dramatic fashion". FAI.ie. 28 November 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
  8. ^ Stephen Finn (26 July 2010). "O'Gorman Peamount hat-trick hero". Irish Independent. Retrieved 16 July 2011.
  9. ^ "Salthill and Peamount set for Umbro Women's Cup final". FAI. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  10. ^ "Peamount crush Krka". She Kicks. 14 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Sara Lawlor named as National League Player of the Year". RTÉ Sport. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Irländska till Eskilstuna United". Damfotboll.com (in Swedish). 14 January 2013. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  13. ^ Hannigan, Mary (14 January 2016). "Louise Quinn enjoying her football career in Sweden". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  14. ^ Fredriksson, Emelie (24 November 2016). "Verklig trotjänare lämnar United". Aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  15. ^ "Louise Quinn: Notts County Ladies sign Republic of Ireland defender". BBC Sport. 15 February 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  16. ^ Fennessy, Paul (21 April 2017). "'We don't know when we'll be asked to leave the houses. It's a massive shock'". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Louise Quinn: Former Notts County defender joins Arsenal Ladies". BBC Sport. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  18. ^ "Louise Quinn signs new contract". Arsenal.com. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
  19. ^ Malone, Emmet (5 June 2020). "Louise Quinn hoping to extend stay in England after Arsenal spell ends". The Irish Times. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  20. ^ a b c Kissane, Sinead (16 January 2021). "Eat, Play, Love. Quinn hopes Italian lesson keeps her in Ireland jersey". Irish Independent. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  21. ^ Kelly, Niall (2 July 2021). "Louise Quinn on the hunt for new club following Fiorentina exit". The 42.ie. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  22. ^ Frith, Wilf (23 July 2021). "Birmingham City Women bring in Louise Quinn from Fiorentina". She Kicks. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  23. ^ Fitzmaurice, Aidan (9 September 2021). "'It felt like being back in the olden days. We were not allowed at the training ground when the men were there'". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  24. ^ McDonnell, Daniel (20 January 2022). "'I just feel sharper than I did last year' – Irish star Louise Quinn sees bright side to Birmingham's struggle". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  25. ^ Downey, Sophie (10 May 2022). "From Sam Kerr to Rehanne Skinner: our WSL awards of the 2021-22 season". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  26. ^ Fallon, John (19 May 2022). "Decision-time for Ireland's Louise Quinn as Birmingham suffer relegation". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  27. ^ Duffy, Emma (30 August 2022). "'You have to do your dream job away from your most loved ones'". The42.ie. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  28. ^ "Louise Quinn [under-19]". Soccerscene.ie. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  29. ^ "Senior Women Player Profiles". Football Association of Ireland. 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 28 July 2011. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  30. ^ a b "Louise called up to Ireland U-17s". Wicklow People. 24 March 2005. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  31. ^ a b "Louise Quinn [senior]". Soccerscene.ie. Retrieved 17 July 2011.
  32. ^ "Arsenal stars in for Ireland's 'biggest game'". UEFA.com. 13 October 2008. Retrieved 21 July 2011.
  33. ^ "Late German winner denies Irish women a famous result". The Irish Times. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  34. ^ "Ireland win in Colin Bell's first game as manager". Irish Examiner. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2021.
  35. ^ Fennessy, Paul (27 December 2017). "As a group of players, we knew things had to change". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  36. ^ "Ireland captain Emma Byrne hails 'victory' after players and FAI come to agreement". Independent.ie. Independent News and Media. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  37. ^ a b Quinn, Louise (7 June 2018). "Our Unity of Purpose". The Sports Chronicle. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  38. ^ "Quinn trains in mask ahead of must-win Norway clash". RTÉ Sport. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  39. ^ Frith, Wilf (5 August 2020). "Louise Quinn wins FAI Women's International Player of the Year award". She Kicks. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  40. ^ O'Donnell, Jake. ""It's just really disappointing" - Louise Quinn on loss of Colin Bell". Off the Ball (media company). Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  41. ^ Fallon, John (21 September 2021). "Louise Quinn the hero as Ireland end seven-match losing streak". Irish Independent. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  42. ^ Connaghton, Gary (6 September 2022). "Louise Quinn Says Ireland Have Shed 'Spursy' Tag As They Aim For World Cup History". Balls.ie. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  43. ^ Crowe, Marie (28 December 2018). "Louise Quinn - How video made the Arsenal star". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  44. ^ Duffy, Emma (11 October 2021). "'She deserves a goal because she's been excellent for us' - Quinn earns Birmingham's first point". The42.ie. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  45. ^ Clancy, Connor (22 March 2021). "Louise Quinn: Eternal learning, growth, and a career that most would envy". Forza Italian Football. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  46. ^ Garry, Tom (29 August 2021). "Birmingham City Women's Scott Booth on his biggest managerial challenge". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  47. ^ O'Hehir, Paul (21 September 2021). "Vera Pauw hails matchwinner Louise Quinn as Ireland end drought with Australia win". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  48. ^ John Hudson (27 October 2008). "CUFL: Facilitators, scholarships and website launched". Herald.ie. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
  49. ^ "World University Games". FAI Third Level Football. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
  50. ^ "Login • Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 20 July 2023. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  51. ^ Fennessy, Paul (8 July 2018). "'If they've knowledge of the game, why does it matter who is talking about this sport?'". The42.ie. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  52. ^ Medcalf, David (3 August 2019). "Meet the mighty Quinn of Arsenal". Wicklow People. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  53. ^ Duffy, Emma (6 July 2019). "Star footballer, quality analyst, huge role model: Quinn leading the way in inspiring next generation". The42.ie. TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
  54. ^ "Ireland women defeated by Algarve Cup hosts". FAI. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  55. ^ "Senior women's team off to a winning start in Cyprus". FAI. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  56. ^ "Republic of Ireland Women 1-1 South Korea Women". RTE. 10 March 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  57. ^ "Late German winner denies Ireland". FAI. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  58. ^ "Ireland women secure crucial win over Portugal". The Irish Times. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  59. ^ "Ireland finish Cyprus Cup with win over Finland". FAI. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  60. ^ "IRL WNT secure emphatic qualifying win". FAI. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  61. ^ "IRL WNT secure new home record win". FAI. 8 June 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  62. ^ "Kiernan shines in dominant Portugal win". FAI. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  63. ^ "Quinn header secures Welsh win". FAI. 5 March 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  64. ^ "WNT 3-2 Australia". FAI. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  65. ^ "WNT 2-1 Poland". FAI. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  66. ^ "Georgia 0-9 WNT". FAI. 27 June 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  67. ^ "WNT 4-0 Morocco". FAI. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
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