Player Spotlight | Madison McGuane
Club: Treaty United
Position: Midfielder
Games Played: 11
Goals Scored: 3
Pic - KBD Photos / Treaty United
It’s quite remarkable to think that Madison McGuane is just 15 years old yet already standing out in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division.
The Limerick native has been excelling in her debut season at senior level with Treaty United and recently had her superb form recognised by winning the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division Player of the Month for May.
It has been very clear from an early age that McGuane was a special talent, as she has proven on the international stage with the Ireland Girls’ Under-16s and Women’s Under-17s where she has racked up 34 games collectively over a three-year period. But talent needs to be supported by other attributes and that is where the energetic midfielder has really caught the eye this season.
Temperament is one skill that McGuane has added to her arsenal, as evidenced by her consistency in connecting play through her passing – boasting a 68.7% accuracy – and also through her bravery to take opponents on as her 61% dribbling success rate showcases. Put simply, she wants to get on the ball and use it.
Also, she is not shy in raising her hand to take responsibility as she has done in scoring two penalities already this season. Forget about nerves, she thrives on the opportunity to seize the moment.
Treaty United have come to trust McGuane – even if Head Coach Sean Russell will be keen to protect her as much as possible – and she has responded by learning on the job. She has started to adapt to the physicality of the league with 53% of duels won and 38 interceptions made. This is proof that she is very much a modern two-way midfielder who can be just as effective off the ball as she is when in possession of it.
There is still plenty for McGuane to learn and to tweak, but she has the right attitude in wanting to take advice onboard. She should pick up good habits from club captain Jillian O’Toole, note the movement off the ball from Isabella Flocchini and marvel at the work-rate of Madelyn Robbins as she aims to keep on improving.
The mid-term report card from McGuane’s first season in the league is extremely encouraging but the most positive aspect is that there is a lot more to come from the midfielder.
