Jess Gargan

Jessica Gargan (born 10 March 1997) is an Irish association footballer who plays as a defender for Women's National League club Shelbourne. Since making her debut in August 2019 she has been a member of the Republic of Ireland women's national team. Gargan is predominantly a right-back but can also play further forward as a winger. She spent four years playing college soccer in the United States with Quinnipiac Bobcats and has also represented Peamount United.

Club Career

Gargan was born and raised in Dublin and played youth football for Swords Rovers. She then spent three years in the youth system of Shelbourne FC. Gargan signed for Peamount United in 2013 and made her first Women's National League (WNL) appearances for the club in 2014–15.

In 2015 she accepted an offer to play four years of college soccer for the Quinnipiac University "Bobcats". In her freshman season, Gargan appeared in all 17 matches (16 starts) and scored four goals. She was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) All-Rookie Team. As a sophomore in 2016, she was named to the MAAC All-Tournament Team. In 2018 she completed her college career with a total of seven goals in 70 appearances.

Ahead of the 2019 WNL season, Gargan accepted an offer to re-join Shelbourne FC who now competed at WNL level.