Ireland icon Louise Quinn retires after influential career | OneFootball

Louise Quinn, an iconic defender and fixture in European football, has announced her retirement from professional football.

The 34-year-old had been hoping to see Birmingham City back up to the Women’s Super League but fell agonisingly short at the final hurdle. In an all-or-nothing clash with London City Lionesses, the Blues needed a win to claim the title and promotion. The match ended 2-2, which was enough for London City but crushed Birmingham’s hopes.

Despite missing out on one last hurrah before retirement, Quinn’s career is laden with iconic moments. We’ve taken a look back at the defender’s milestones.

The early beginnings

A fixture in European football for over two decades, Quinn started her professional career at the tender age of 14. Her first side was Peamount United of the Women’s National League in Ireland. Her leadership was noticed quickly, and she was named captain of the side in 2006.

After nine seasons and a berth in Champions League, Quinn decided to ply her trade abroad. The defender headed to Swedish side Eskilstuna United. Her signing proved huge, as she helped the team achieve promotion to the Damallsvenskan in her first season. Once again she was instrumental in guiding her side to the Champions League, before making the jump to the Women’s Super League in England.

A run with the Gunners

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Quinn originally signed with Notts County, but the side folded before the season began. She then joined Arsenal in May 2017, and remained with the Gunners until 2020. During her time, she was a stalwart on the backline of Arsenal’s last league title in the 2018/19.

Arsenal also took home the WSL Cup that season, with Quinn again featuring at centre-back. Quinn played the 2019/20 season with the London side, then joined Fiorentina of Italy’s Serie A Femminile for the 2020/21 term.

Following a successful season which saw Fiorentina make the Supercoppa Italiana final, Quinn returned to the WSL. She signed with Birmingham City, where she saw out the final years of her career.

Ireland legend

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As she had at club level, Louise Quinn has been a fixture for her country since the age of 14. She featured for Ireland’s U17 and U19 sides before receiving her senior team call-up in 2008. She has received 121 caps over the course of her career, and has found the back of the net 13 times.

Quinn was also one of the leading forces behind the charge to improve conditions for Ireland’s women’s national side in 2017. Her staunch efforts against the Football Association of Ireland led to vast improvements for current and future women to wear the green shirt.

Quinn was a key member of Ireland’s first World Cup side in 2023. As captain, she played every minute of Ireland’s historic tournament. Though the team did not advance out of group play, they became the pride of Ireland. Their give-it-all attitude impressed all who watched the tournament, and Quinn got to experience football on its grandest stage, an honour she so richly deserved.

A career to be proud of

As she sets off into the next chapter of her life, Louise Quinn can look back with pride. She certainly leaves our sport much better than she found it. Her on-field achievements, her role as a leader at all levels, and her contributions to society are the stuff of legend.

On a personal level, I am devastated by Louise Quinn’s retirement, but happy for her as well. She was my first ever ‘favourite player’. Her No.16 Arsenal kit was the first football shirt I purchased, and remains one of my most cherished to wear. I loved watching her dominate the Gunners’ backline, and it was always thrilling to see her rise up on a corner and blast a header into the opponent’s net. You will be fondly remembered, O Mighty Quinn.

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