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.

Club career
As a 20-year-old, Kierans spent a summer playing semi-professionally in Denmark. 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, including her former St Patrick's Athletic L.F.C. teammates Emma Byrne and Ciara Grant. Kierans quit Charlton in 2003 then had single season spells with Leeds United, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Bristol Academy.

Kierans returned to Ireland in 2006 through work, then played for Drogheda United and St. Francis. She won the FAI Women's Cup with St. Francis in 2008 then retired in 2009 after playing in the 2009–10 UEFA Women's Champions League qualifying round.

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. She went on to captain the side and was still a member of the squad after returning from her club career in England.

Personal life
After returning to Ireland Kierans ran a gym in Ballyjamesduff.

See also

 Gráinne (given name)

References

External links
FIFA profile

Category:Living people
Category:1978 births
Category:People from Drogheda
Category:Association footballers from County Louth
Category:Republic of Ireland women's association footballers
Category:Arsenal W.F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C. players
Category:Leeds United L.F.C. players
Category:Bristol Academy W.F.C. players
Category:Charlton Athletic W.F.C. players
Category:Republic of Ireland women's international footballers
Category:FA Women's National League players
Category:Expatriate footballers in England
Category:St Francis L.F.C. players
Category:Dublin Women's Soccer League players
Category:Women's association football forwards