Emma Byrne Interview
A professional goalkeeper for Arsenal and the Republic of Ireland women’s soccer team, Byrne has been playing professionally since the age of 14 and is currently Ireland’s No 1 international goalkeeper, with 50 caps under her belt.
Emma was recently named Eircom International Player of the Year for 2008, having taken her talents to Arsenal, where she was instrumental in turning the Gunners into one of England’s strongest teams. Emma is also the female face of the Nike Pro clothing range in the UK.
| 1.How did you get started playing soccer ? |
| I started playing soccer with my brothers when I was around 8/9. Just back garden stuff. My best friend’s mum took over as Leixlip UTD manager when I was 12 so we all joined a club around that time. |
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2.Who is the biggest influence in your sporting career both on and off the pitch ? |
| I have loads of influence’s throughout my career. When I first started playing it would have been my friends mum. My dad & Uncle were always keen on me playing sports also. When I progressed to International level the biggest influence was the no.1 keeper Sue Hayden. I sat on the bench for Sue for nearly 5 years & learnt masses from her. At Arsenal, it is my goalkeeping coach Alex Welsh. He’s a mentor, a great coach and I reckon he has qualifications in psychology too! |
| 3.How difficult is it for women to break into professional soccer? |
| It’s extremely difficult to be a pro footballer. The main pro league is in the States at the moment. Each club is only allowed 4 foreign players. With the Brazilian’s, German’s, Chinese etc. competing to play at this level, it’s very hard for players like us to get selected. You would have to be one of the top players in the world, then you would need to be spotted! |
| 4.What advice would you give to any young goalkeeper just starting off? |
| Key advice would be to work hard, be committed & stay focused. It is also very important to find a good goalkeeping coach and a good club. |
| 5.Do you think it is important to have a goalkeeping coach at your club? |
| Yes, I think it is extremely important to have a goalkeeping coach. But a good one! It can have a negative effect if the GK coach is not suited. Obviously you will benefit from the training but the psychological support is huge also. |
| 6.What’s it like working with Alex Welch your goalkeeping coach at Arsenal? |
| I feel extremely lucky to be able to work with Alex. He is one of the main reason’s I’m still at Arsenal. I know there is no better GK coach at any other club in the world. |
| 7.How did you end up playing for Arsenal? |
| 2 of my friends came to Arsenal in 1997. I was playing in Denmark at this time but not really enjoying it. Arsenal’s no.1 keeper got injured and they needed a replacement. Vic Akers (Arsenal Manager) asked if I would be interested in coming over for a trial & that was that! I’m still here. |
| 8.What other clubs have you played for? |
| Leixlip Utd, St Patrick’s Athletic, Fortuna Hjioring (Denmark) |
| 9.What was it like becoming a European Champion In April 2007 with Arsenal LFC, when your team beat Umeå IK of Sweden in the final of the UEFA Women's Cup by 1-0 on aggregate, a tie in which you made numerous vital saves in the home and away games.? |
| It was amazing & something I will never forget for the rest of my life. No one expected us to win (including ourselves) so it made it even more of a triumph when we did. It was a very proud moment for all of the Irish girls playing that day as none of us ever played & won at that level before. |
| 10.What other honours have you acchieved during your playing carrear? |
| Arsenal – League Champions 7 times, League Cup winners 5 times, FA Cup winners 5 times, Community Shield winners 4 times. UEFA cup winners 1 time |
| 11.What one stands out the most to you ? |
| It has to be the UEFA Cup win. We won the quadruple that year so I’d say the year in general was pretty sweet! |
| 12.Who many international caps have you won for the Republic of Ireland ? |
| I believe it’s somewhere in the late 60’s. We’re still waiting on confirmation on exact number. |
| 13.What it like being the female face of Nike Pro clothing range? |
| Embarrassing! Anytime someone see’s me in a mag or in Nike town they text me. Scarlet!! I feel it’s an honor though. |
| 14.Who would you say is the best goalkeeper in the world both Female and male? |
| I wouldn’t say anyone in particular. There are loads of goalkeepers with great qualities. My favorite male GK is Peter Czech & I’m yet to see anyone better than Sue Hayden. |
| 15.Who is the best player that you have played against? |
| Would have to be Marta (Umea & Brazil). We played Umea at home and beat them 3-2 (Marta didn’t play). When we played them away & Marta played, they beat us 6-0. she scored 4 and set up the other 2 |
| 16.What is the best stadium that you have ever played in? |
| Highbury. I loved Highbury for it’s atmosphere and the people who worked there. There was a great family atmosphere there. |
| 17.What football team do you support? |
| Would have to say Arsenal. I get to go and watch them so they’ve grown on me! |
| 18.Do you think that there is enough being done to develop women’s football in Ireland? |
| I think there is as much as can be done. I think theirs is huge amounts that can be developed more but in turn we’d need more funding and organised events. When you see the scale of development over here in the UK, it’s something to aim for. I think there is huge talent back in Ireland and one day, Ireland should be competing with the likes of Germany and America. I may not be still playing at this stage, but I hope I can contribute in some way. |
| 19.Have you any pre-match rituals or superstitions? |
| Nope! It’s all in the head. |
| 20.Are you good at saving penalty kicks and do you use a technique or is it purely guess work? |
| I wouldn’t say I was good as I’d say it has a lot to do with luck! I have a technique which works sometimes but other than that, I’m counting on the luck of the Irish. |
| 21.What Goalkeeping gloves and boots do you wear? |
| I wear Nike because I am sponsored by them. Gloves are really expensive so I’m lucky! |
| 22.How does it feel representing your country in the sport? |
| It’s the best feeling in the world. It’s a massive honor to play for your country and represent where you’re from. It also helps when you love where you’re from and proud to be Irish. |
| 23.Were you always involved in football after leaving school or had you another job? |
| I was always heavily involved and work always worked around practice and games. That’s why I was blessed with understanding and supportive bosses. I worked as a PA in Cherry Orchard hospital and in the ticket office in the FAI. I always was concentrating on playing full time though. |
| 24. Is professional soccer a lucrative career for women? |
| Obviously it’s not as lucrative as men’s football because of the difference in pay. However, if you were to play at the very top level (Pro in the States) & got a good contract, it’s extremely lucrative. Sponsorship deals are huge over there too. There are lots of other pathways now, i.e. coaching, management, academy involvement. A lot of people are making a career out of women’s football. |
| 25.Describe yourself in five words. |
| Tall, freckles, bubbly, friendly |
| 26.Finally, if you were stuck on a desert island; pick three things that you would like to have with you? |
| ipod, my boyfriend & ribena |