Jessica Gleeson
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 Jess Gleeson in action for DLR Waves | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jessica Gleeson | ||
| Date of birth | 23 October 1993[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Waterford, Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[2] | ||
| Position | Defender[1] | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | DLR Waves | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Villa AFC | |||
| Tramore AFC | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2017 | Wexford Youths | ||
| 2018–2020 | Shelbourne | 40 | (2) |
| 2021– | DLR Waves | 94 | (5) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2009–2010 | Republic of Ireland U17 | 8 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | Republic of Ireland U19 | 4 | (0) |
| 2015– | Republic of Ireland | 4 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals as of 12 April 2016 | |||
Jessica Gleeson (born 23 October 1993) is an Irish footballer who plays as a defender for Women's National League club DLR Waves. She previously played for Wexford Youths and Shelbourne. Since making her debut in 2015 she has been a member of the Republic of Ireland women's national team. Her younger brother Austin Gleeson has represented the Waterford county hurling team.[3]
Gleeson was born in Waterford[4] and played youth soccer for local clubs Villa AFC and Tramore AFC.[5] She joined Wexford Youths for the inaugural Women's National League (WNL) season in 2011–12. In 2014–15 Wexford Youths won the WNL for the first time, and Gleeson represented the club in the 2015–16 UEFA Women's Champions League.[6]
Ahead of the 2018 WNL season, Gleeson accepted an offer to join Wexford Youths' WNL rivals Shelbourne FC. She had considered moving a year earlier, but decided to spend one more season at Wexford out of loyalty to the team's coach.[4] Gleeson considered quitting soccer in favour of Gaelic football after losing her place in the Shelbourne team during the 2020 season, but she was persuaded to join DLR Waves instead.[7]
Gleeson made her DLR Waves debut at the beginning of the 2021 Women's National League season. Following a successful first year at the club she was appointed club captain ahead of the 2022 season. As of 2024 she is still with DLR Waves and remains the club captain.[8]