Ciara Grant

Ciara Mary Ludlow (née Grant; born 17 May 1978) is an Irish former footballer who played as a midfielder. She played club football for Arsenal L.F.C. and internationally for the Republic of Ireland national team. Ludlow was a nine-time winner of the Women's FA Cup.

Club career Ciara Mary Grant was born in Waterford. She began her career with Benfica. After a spell with St Patrick's Athletic, she joined Arsenal Ladies in August 1998. She was employed as a development officer by the English club.

In her first season Grant scored an equaliser against Everton as Arsenal won the Premier League Cup final 3–1. Arsenal also won the 1999 FA Women's Cup, but finished second to Croydon in the League.

That achievement was eclipsed in 2007, as Arsenal added the UEFA Women's Cup to their trophy haul, completing an unprecedented quadruple. Grant remained an important part of the team while being converted from a midfielder to a central defender.

Grant won the FA Women's Cup with Arsenal again in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2013. The victory in 2013 was her ninth win in the competition. In the 2012-13 season Arsenal also won the Continental League Cup.

After moving to Reading in 2014, Grant announced her retirement in April 2015.

International career Grant has reached a century of caps for Ireland and, since 2000, has captained the national side. She made her debut as a teenager, in a 3–1 win over the Faroe Islands at Richmond Park.

She won her 100th cap in Ireland's 2–1 defeat to Scotland at Tynecastle Stadium in April 2012.

Grant announced her retirement from international football in February 2013.

Honours Arsenal FA Women's Premier League National Division (9): 2000–01, 2001–02, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10 FA Women's Cup (9): 1998–99, 2000–01, 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 201011, 201213 Women's League Cup (6): 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08 UEFA Women's Cup: 2007

Personal life Grant married former Arsenal teammate Jayne Ludlow, adopting her name.