Jess Gleeson

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.

Club Career

Gleeson was born in Waterford and played youth soccer for local clubs Villa AFC and Tramore AFC. 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.

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. 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.