Yvonne Tracy hoping Katie McCabe can follow in her foosteps to be an Irish Champions League winner
Yvonne Tracy is struggling to believe it's a whole 18 years since she, Emma Byrne and Ciara Grant became the first – and only – Irish women to win the equivalent of the Champions League. That triumph topped off a magical 2006-07 quadruple-winning season for Arsenal, no English club winning Europe's premier trophy, then called the Uefa Cup, before or since.
The bulk of the squad reunited at the Emirates Stadium last year when the club invited them as guests of honour for the women's league game against Manchester United.
'We had some craic,' says Tracy. 'I hadn't seen most of the girls in 10 plus years, but it was like we'd never been apart. The laughs we had that day. We didn't even go out to watch the second-half, we just sat inside in a lounge chatting. By 10 in the morning the girls were on the wine already. 'Ah sure,' they said, 'it's ****ing five o'clock somewhere'.'
'They wanted us to do a lap of honour at half-time, which wasn't really our thing. We only went as far as the corner flag, turned back, went upstairs again and carried on chatting. And laughing. It was brilliant to see the girls, we had the best of times together.'
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They were invited to another reunion at Arsenal's training ground last Tuesday where the plan was for them to meet up with the current squad ahead of their Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday, when they will attempt to emulate that 2007 achievement.
'We only got the invite the Thursday before, but sure, most of us are working, so we couldn't make it. I think about four turned up. They made a big deal of the whole thing, and offered us all a ticket for the game in Lisbon. That was it. Make your own way. Get your own flights, your own accommodation, but we'll give you a ticket that you could buy for a tenner.'
Arsenal team celebrates after winning the Womens UEFA Cup final. Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty
The thing with Tracy, though, is that there's next to no rancour when she contrasts her playing days with how the women's game is now. A case in point. In the days before the second leg of Arsenal's Uefa Cup final against Sweden's Umea in 2007 (it's a one-off final these days), a gang of reporters arrived from Ireland at the club's training ground to talk to her, Byrne and Grant.
While the men's squad rolled in and out of the car park in their Bugattis, Aston Martins, Bentleys and Ferraris, most with personalised number plates, she was working in the laundry at the ground, trying to top up her meagre wages so she could survive.
You tell her that people back home were horrified by that. Did she ever feel the same?
'Not at all! Everyone has to ****ing earn a living, like. And we were all earning so little as players, we had to find work outside the game. That was just the reality, women's football was really only starting out. You couldn't turn your nose up at it – you were working, you were getting fed at the Arsenal training ground. You were rubbing shoulders with the men's team and you had Arsene Wenger coming in and having a chat with you. You were made to feel part of the Arsenal family. It was fine.'
And having spent 14 years playing for the club, during which she won close to 30 major honours, as well as over 70 Irish caps along the way, she was happy to stay on for 'around another nine' after retiring. 'My job was to get the kit ready for training and games, wash the match gear, that kind of thing. It was good. But the hours were mad and the wages were shite, so I was like, 'I'm done. I've had enough of this'.'
Coaching, she reckoned, was her route out of that grind, so after doing her Uefa B licence with the FAI back home, that's the route she took. She does her own 'one to one and group sessions' with players, and last year she was added to the staff at the Haverhill Football Academy in Suffolk, before being appointed head of their girls section last month.
Yvonne Tracy, head of Haverhill Football Academy's girls section, talking with a group of young players at a training session earlier this month. Photograph: Haverhill Football Academy
'I absolutely love it because I just prefer working with kids. I work with a club too with under-18 boys and they asked me to move up with them when they reached the reserves, but I was like, 'nah, thanks'. I don't really want to be working with men who think they know everything, I want to stay with the kids and help develop them, and, most importantly, make sure they have fun and enjoy it.'
'It's funny, someone asked me if I had this kind of structure when I started out playing, and I was like, 'are you mad?' I was out in the green back in Limerick getting the s**te kicked out of me by all the boys. I said, you have to remember I'm 44 and there wasn't nothing like this in my time. Most of the coaches I work with are in their 20s and they're looking at me like, '****, she's from the Stone Age'.'
'But I was never coached until I played for Ireland at underage level, when I was around 15, everything was self-taught until then, from playing on that green. And now you have young girls going to academies and development centres and they have everything available for them, which is really, really good.'
Yvonne Tracy at her unveiling as a new coach at Haverhill Football Academy last year. Photograph: Haverhill Football Academy
'The changes have been huge, and they went through the roof after England won the Euros in 2022. It just went bananas after that, the whole country was mad for it. There were thousands and thousands at games, but we have to be honest too, it's been hit and miss. Unlike England, or, say, Arsenal and Chelsea, Manchester City are lucky to get two or three thousand at a match, and then you have stories like the Blackburn and Wolves' women's teams being left high and dry by their clubs. Just like in the men's game, it's a case of the haves and have nots.'
'But it's always been a battle, so you just have to battle on. Back when we played Umea, Arsenal asked us if we wanted to play the second leg at the Emirates. We were, like, 'no' – not only because the pitch was bigger, but because we'd probably have got a maximum of 5,000 at the Emirates, a near empty stadium just rattling. It was a sell-out at Borehamwood, 3,500, it was our home. They're expecting 50,000 in Lisbon on Saturday, that's amazing.'
Ciara Grant, Emma Byrne and Yvonne Tracy of Arsenal celebrate in 2007. Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty
'But we were lucky to get a couple of inches in the papers back then, if that, and I'm not sure the game was even on telly. The young girls back home didn't even know we were playing, there was hardly any coverage at all. Look at it now. At least one or two games on telly every week when the most we got was the FA Cup final. It's brilliant to see how it's grown. It's a different world for the young girls I'm coaching, there are so many possibilities for them in the game now. And I love that.'
The possibilities seemed endless, too, when Tracy joined Arsenal in 2000. She was one of a sizeable gang of Irish players signed by the club back then.
'I went over with Caroline Thorpe and Susan Heapes, we were all playing for the Irish under-19s so they were really good pals. We were living with Emma, Ciara and Grainne Kierans, so we had great craic, you never felt home sick with that many Irish around you.'
'None of us could cook, it was all beans and spaghetti hoops on toast, but we'd eat at the training ground and that would set you up. We ended up in a three-bed flat with one bathroom, so we were living on top of each other, but then a few people left so it was grand. It was tough for some of the girls, either with homesickness or not getting their chances in the team, but myself, Emma and Ciara stuck it out. It's only now when you look back on it, it's like, yeah, we did do a bit, didn't we? We did okay.'
While Byrne and Grant played in both legs of the 2027 final, Tracy remained on the bench, the latest in a series of knee injuries rendering her an onlooker. That was a heartbreaker for a player who had contributed so much to Arsenal becoming the dominant force in the English game.
'And to this day, my body is broken from playing football and having operations and injections. I'm actually waiting to get another operation done on my knee at the minute. I hurt it again when I was doing my Uefa B licence, tore my meniscus, so I'm on an NHS waiting list to have something done on it. I have an appointment for July, just to talk to a surgeon, but it's been cancelled three times already. We'll see how that goes.'
She was made to feel part of it all, though, back in 2007, her memories of both legs vivid. 'We weren't given a hope. Umea were professional, we weren't. They were stacked with Swedish internationals, and had Brazil's Marta, the best player in the world.'
'Even when we won the first leg away, 1-0, I think they thought they were going to beat us by four or five at Borehamwood. But, Jesus, Emma was just unbelievable in goal. There were balls hitting her head, coming off the crossbar, she was phenomenal. And Ciara was Ciara – quality like.'
The second leg finished 0-0, Arsenal were European champions, Tracy and her Irish comrades celebrating with the tricolour. 'And that's the best photo of the lot. My mother has it framed at home,' she says.
A little like 2007, Arsenal will be the rank outsiders on Saturday against a three-in-a-row seeking Barcelona side. 'Ah jaysus, yeah,' says Tracy when you suggest Barca are half decent.
'But come here,' she says, 'it's a one-off game, anything can happen. Barcelona are brilliant, but Arsenal can be too. So ...'
So ... Katie McCabe can become the fourth Irish player to conquer Europe? 'I bloody hope so! She's as good as gold, Kate, I love her passion. People say she's a bit arrogant and flashy on the pitch, but she's not, it's just her passion. She loves playing for her country and she loves playing for Arsenal. She has that fire, and you can't beat that.'
'I'll be cheering her on. I'll be in Spain with my parents, watching it in a bar somewhere. And honest to God, no one will be happier if Katie does it. Emma, Ciara and myself will be rooting for her. Big time. Go on Katie!'
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RTÉ News
2 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Heimir Hallgrimsson believes confidence growing in Ireland squad
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Jack Taylor was another handed his first start in a green jersey, asked to link midfield and attack, staying close to striker Adam Idah throughout the first period, and evidently working hard out of possession. Ireland's gameplan was aimed at exploiting the flanks, while quickly switching play to create space inside the Senegal half, and it was working well throughout those opening 45 minutes with the final delivery, perhaps, the limiting factor when it came to goalscoring opportunities. Will Smallbone flashed a shot wide in the 18th minute, and then three minutes later, the opening goal came, as McAteer firmly put his name in the conversation for the upcoming campaign. It was a well-worked goal that appeared to have a training ground ring to it, as the corner was delivered deep to the back post, and while Matt Doherty and Dara O'Shea appeared to be competing for the same ball, the latter's header back to the edge allowed Ryan Manning to flick it back into the mix. 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"Again, conceding goals from crosses too many times, and in this case we were too passive in the cross. "We didn't attack the ball when the cross came and it has happened before. That is a slight confidence thing."
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
Clear signs that Hallgrímsson's messages are coming through loud and clear for Ireland players
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O'Shea had the licence to be that aggressive and quick with his closing down rather than simply passing the man on to someone in midfield who might not have had the same momentum in their stride to keep Senegal going backwards. That level of freedom for players in the moment to assess such a situation and take on the responsibility is another cornerstone of what Ireland are trying to achieve under Heimir Hallgrímsson. It was evident again two minutes after the re-start when Jason Knight anticipated a breaking ball around 35 or so yards from the opponents' goal and straight away zipped a pass to Will Smallbone so his fellow midfielder. Advertisement He let the ball run across his body, took one more touch to set himself for a shot centrally but directed it far too close to Yehvann Diouf and that allowed the goalkeeper make a comfortable save. Still, it was sharp and positive and done with purpose; exactly what management asked of the players. By that stage, of course, Ireland led after Kasey McAteer's 21st minute goal. It was his first for the Boys in Green, coming on the occasion of his fifth cap and full debut. Friendly fire, perhaps, but if it can act as a catalyst for the Leicester City winger to make a telling impact in the World Cup qualifiers to come from September through November than it will be recalled as a pivotal moment. Again, he showed anticipation and impressive instincts to get his goal, staying on the move after Ryan Manning – excellent all evening in an advanced central role and also on the left when required – kept the corner kick alive to connect with a deft header, and following up Diouf's superb save with a calm touch and sharp swivel to fire low through the legs of Abdoulaye Seck. Nathan Collins wins a header against Boulaye Dia. Laszlo Geczo / INPHO Laszlo Geczo / INPHO / INPHO Just as encouraging as that telling impact in the box was a piece of defending seven minutes before half-time that was the second element of the gameplan: stop Senegal's counter attacks. That was the second message repeated around camp all week, and when Habib Diarra looked as though he was about to break free down the left, McAteer's willingness to sprint back and nick possession drew applause around Aviva Stadium. Most pleased would have been Hallgrímsson and assistant John O'Shea as well as coach Paddy McCarthy. There were three more clear examples of Ireland players ensuring they followed the doctrine laid out. 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It was blocked down, and all of a sudden space opened up for Diatta to take the ball clear. Killian Phillips made his Ireland debut. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO He was still only midway through his own half but before he could open his legs and get into his stride Collins clattered in from behind with a type of organised clumsiness that prevented the counter. He was thoroughly apologetic for the incident, hands in the air straight away, but he knew exactly what he was doing and it was exactly what was required in that moment, and what was expected. That the Senegal equaliser on 82 minutes came after a raft of subs had been made won't soften the blow for Hallgrímsson. It would no doubt have been disallowed for offside after a VAR review had this game been one of consequence, but it was not in use so Cheikh Sabaly standing in Caoimhín Kelleher's eye line went unpunished. It undone so much good work in terms of the result but, crucially, it was a performance that highlighted how Hallgrímsson's messages are coming through loud and clear with World Cup qualifying on the horizon.
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
'This is a world class team and there were times when we made them look quite average'
HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON PRAISED his Irish players as he saw further progress in a 1-1 friendly draw against Senegal in Dublin. Ireland led at half-time through Kasey McAteer's goal, but were denied a win by Ismalia Sarr's late equaliser. 'Our collective defence was good', said the Irish manager. 'We must recognise this is a world class team, unbeaten now in 21 games, 19 in the Fifa rankings. And there were times when we were defending without the ball we made them look quite average. We are happy they didn't create too many goalscoring chances. Caoimh made one or two good saves but apart from that he didn't need to do much, that is pleasing. 'We needed to start on this, working on a shape that is now looking quite good. There are still a few areas, we have talked about needing to do some movements quicker, within the structure. 'To be able to play against such a strong attacking team, with so much individual quality, and not concede a lot of goalscoring chances.' Advertisement Hallgrimsson pointed to the low levels of confidence among his players when he first took the job, but says now they are climbing. 'I think it is growing', said Hallgrimsson when asked about confidence levels. 'The decisions at this level need to be quick. You need to be quick deciding what to do and act quickly. If you are too late you are always punished at this level. What I said about defence, being in structure, closing spaces: these things need to happen quicker. 'Once we repeat these things again and again it just gets it ahead and we showed that against a really good side again. We limited their chances of creating things against us and, let's be honest, we are not one of the best teams in the world, and this is how we need to play against teams that will dominate possession. 'And we need to wait for our chances and take them when they come. So in this situation confidence is growing and it is a similar setup in September, playing the stronger team at home and then flying away to Luxembourg, like Hungary at home and then away to Armenia. So it is good preparation for September. So that is confidence for me, to be able to play good teams without possession and doing that for longer periods of time. But again, conceding goals from crosses too many times and in this case we were too passive in the cross. We didn't attack the ball when the cross came and it has happened before. That is a slight confidence thing.' Hallgrimsson meanwhile praised his goalscorer Kasey McAteer, who showed Ireland have further depth among their right-sided attackers by scoring on his full Irish debut. ''If you have watched Kasey he has got a run for Leicester at the end of the season so you can see his progress in his club and he brought that now into the national team', said Hallgrimsson. 'That is always the answer you would like to have when you try out new players. 'It was his first start for Ireland, so a really good first start for him. No, he is a confident player on the ball. He has speed, good dribbling technique and if we can isolate him one-on-one that is his strength. 'He is just a clever footballer with a good footballing brain. Knows where to pass the ball etc.' The Irish boss was sanguine too about the lack of VAR, which would likely have inspected and potentially disallowed the Senegal goal for an offside. Cheikh Sabaly stood in an offisde position occluding Kelleher's view of a shot which the Irish goalkeeper saved brilliantly before Ismalia Sarr forced the rebound over the line. 'VAR probably would have given it offside, but we knew VAR was not in house and we cannot complain. The referees did a really good job today, they had a really good flow to the game. I was really happy with the referees.'
