The Limerick teenager spoke to the Limerick Voice last year about her ambition to play professionally in England, with that prospect now attracting increasing attention.
TREATY UNITED’s Madison McGuane is attracting interest from across the Irish Sea, with the 17-year-old Republic of Ireland international reportedly most recently on trial with Women’s Super League side Brighton & Hove Albion.
McGuane, who made her League of Ireland debut at just 15, was featured briefly in a video shared on Brighton’s social media channels this week.
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The midfielder previously spoke to the Limerick Voice in 2025 about her ambitions for the future, identifying a move to England’s top division as her ultimate goal.
“In five years, I’d love to be playing professional football in the Women’s Super League in England. If I’m still in Ireland, maybe I’ll be in college at UL. But the goal is to keep pushing myself,” she said.
Since making her debut for Treaty in March 2025, McGuane has continued to establish herself as one of the most promising young players in Irish women’s football.
She collected the 2025 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division Young Player of the Year and PFA Ireland Women’s Young Player of the Year awards, with further recognition following this season.
McGuane was named in the 2026 PFA Ireland Women’s Premier Division Team of the Year, nominated for the Women’s Young Player of the Year award for a second consecutive season and claimed the Women’s Premier Division Player of the Month award for April.
Her progress has also extended to the international stage. Having represented Ireland from U15 to U19 level and captained the underage sides, McGuane most recently led the U19s during their European Championship qualifying campaign in October, scoring four goals across three matches.
Speaking to the Limerick Voice, McGuane said representing her country had helped shape her both on and off the pitch.
“It helped shape my personality and how I carry myself. I love driving people on and supporting my teammates. Wearing the captain’s armband for Ireland is something I’ll never forget,” she said.
Senior Ireland manager Carla Ward has also previously highlighted the teenager as a player “knocking on the door” for inclusion in her squads.
Alongside her commitments with Treaty and Ireland, McGuane has had to balance her footballing development with her studies at St Mary’s Secondary School in Limerick City.
“It’s tough,” she said. “I bring my books on trips and catch up when I can. It’s hard to stay on top of it, but it has to be done.”
As reported by The 42, Brighton are among several English clubs understood to be monitoring McGuane, with a number of other leading Women’s Super League sides also believed to be interested. She has also visited WSL 2 side Newcastle United.
However, with McGuane not turning 18 until August 2027, any potential move to England may have to wait until then.