Méabh De Búrca is an 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...

 female footballer who plays for the Republic of Ireland national team

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...

 and Boston Aztec

Boston Aztec (WPSL)

Boston Aztec is a North American amateur soccer team based in Beverly, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 2005, the team plays in Women's Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

. De Búrca can play in defence

Defender (football)

Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....

 or midfield.

Club career

De Búrca joined Salthill Devon

Salthill Devon F.C.

Salthill Devon F.C. is an Irish football club currently playing in the League of Ireland First Division in the Republic of Ireland. The club hails from Salthill, Ireland and play their home matches at Drom Clubhouse. Club colours are light blue and white stripes and their current manager is Paul...

 in 2000, initially playing in the boys' team. She progressed through the ranks alongside Niamh Fahey

Niamh Fahey

Niamh Fahey is an Irish female international football defender. At club level she represents English FA WSL team Arsenal Ladies. She has also won national cups playing Gaelic football with Galway Ladies Football...

, and the pair helped Galway Ladies (a regional select team) win the FAI Senior Women's Cup in 2007. While Fahey departed to 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...

, De Búrca stayed in Ireland and represented Galway in the 2008–09 UEFA Women's Cup

UEFA Women's Cup

The UEFA Women's Champions League is the first international women's association football club competition for teams that play in UEFA nations. Initially known as the UEFA Women's Cup, the competition has been re-branded since the 2009-2010 edition as the UEFA Women's Champions League...

.

In 2009 De Búrca moved to the University of New Haven

University of New Haven

The University of New Haven is a private university that combines a liberal arts education with professional training. The university comprises five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the Tagliatela College of Engineering, the Henry C...

 on a soccer scholarship. In the 2011 season she also played for Boston Aztec

Boston Aztec (WPSL)

Boston Aztec is a North American amateur soccer team based in Beverly, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 2005, the team plays in Women's Premier Soccer League , a national amateur league at the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....

, the Boston Breakers' reserve team, who compete at WPSL

Women's Premier Soccer League

The Women's Premier Soccer League is a national women's soccer league in the United States and Puerto Rico, and is on the 2nd level of women's soccer in the United States soccer pyramid, alongside the W-League and below Women's Professional Soccer....

 level. De Búrca made 13 appearances as Aztec won their conference and reached the national semi–final.

International career

De Búrca has won over 40 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

Italy women's national football team

The Italy women's national football team represents Italy in international women's football. The team is controlled by the Italian Football Federation .- Performances in the World Cup :...

 at Richmond Park

Richmond Park

Richmond Park is a 2,360 acre park within London. It is the largest of the Royal Parks in London and Britain's second largest urban walled park after Sutton Park, Birmingham. It is close to Richmond, Ham, Kingston upon Thames, Wimbledon, Roehampton and East Sheen...

 in September 2006.

In 2007, while a student at NUI Galway

National University of Ireland, Galway

The National University of Ireland, Galway is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland...

, De Búrca played for Irish Universities at the 2007 Summer Universiade

2007 Summer Universiade

The 2007 Summer Universiade, also known as the XXIV Summer Universiade, took place in Bangkok, Thailand.-Medal table:-External links:***...

 in Bangkok

Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...

.