| Yvonne Tracy | |
| Birth Date: | 1981 2, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Limerick, Ireland |
| Position: | Defender |
| Years3: | 2000–2014 |
| Clubs1: | Lifford |
| Clubs3: | Arsenal |
| Nationalteam1: | Republic of Ireland |
Yvonne Tracy (born 27 February 1981) is an Irish female international football defender. She is a well known player at the club and international level, competing in youth cups beginning at age 16.
Tracy began her career with Lifford in County Clare.[1] She joined Arsenal Ladies in August 2000[2] with compatriots Susan Heapes and Caroline Thorpe, and at the same time as Jayne Ludlow.[3] One of seven Irish players then in the Arsenal squad,[4] Tracy was employed in the club's laundry.[5] She won the domestic treble in her first season, and was an unused substitute as Arsenal beat Fulham in the 2001 FA Women's Cup final.[6]
During a league match in 2006 Tracy suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury[7] which kept her out of action for over a year.[8] Republic of Ireland manager Noel King praised Tracy's "incredible spirit" in coming back.[8] However, an injury to the same knee curtailed her appearances in season 2008–09.[9]
Tracy left Arsenal in February 2014.[10]
Tracy began playing for the national U16 and U18 teams in 1997, alongside Lifford Ladies teammates Aoife Healy and Áine Greene.[11] While still playing for Lifford, Tracy impressed as captain of the Irish U18 team who topped their qualifying group in 1999.[12] Her performances earned her a starting place in the senior team for a match against Croatia, though she had already featured against the Czech Republic in a 1–1 away draw.[12] After becoming a regular at full international level Tracy was nominated for the International Player of the Year in 2000.[13]
Tracy has since won over 40 senior caps for Ireland[14] and was Irish International Player of the Year in 2002.[15] In October 2009 she came on as a substitute for the injured Stef Curtis and scored the winner in Kazakhstan in a 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification - UEFA Group 6 game.[16] [17] Tracy said: "It has been a long, long road to recovery, but it is exciting to return to the pitch and a match-winning goal is a fantastic boost."[18]