Genero Adran Premier side Cardiff City have completed the signing of forward Gillian Keenan, who makes the move to the capital from SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division side Treaty United.
Keenan started her career at Kilkenny United before moving onto Peamount United, and would then join Treaty United in 2020, her first spell at the club, where she would remain for two seasons. She has also represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level in her earlier football years, notably for the U17s.
A move to Athlone Town followed in 2022, where Keenan played a key role in Athlone’s rise in the League Of Ireland, winning the Premier Division title for the first time, the President’s Cup and the FAI Cup, with Keenan scoring a memorable goal in the latter.
The 25-year-old returned to Treaty United in 2025, and now makes the move to the Welsh capital to represent Cardiff City.
Keenan told Cardiff City TV: “I’m very happy to be here, it’s a lovely city. I’ve spent the past week trying to figure my way around the place. I’ve enjoyed myself being here so far. I did a fitness session last week with a few of the girls and got to know them too. I’m happy that I’m here and looking forward to getting going.
“It’s good to get back in pre-season. These few weeks before we get into the campaign, I’m looking forward to playing some games and having new experiences.”
Analysis | To bring a forward in who is not only proven to create and score goals, but to do so in a league of a high level, is a huge boost.
Analysis by Harry Ware
Key attacking players have departed Cardiff City in recent weeks, so to bring a forward in who is not only proven to create and score goals, but to do so in a league of a high level, is a huge boost. The Bluebirds will be well aware of Athlone Town, having faced Gillian Keenan’s former club in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, and many were very impressed by the standard of the League Of Ireland side.
Whilst she’s spent most of her career in the Republic of Ireland, her native, she does already have experience in the UK. The 25-year-old has been studying at University of Gloucestershire, where she has also been playing her football, presumably in BUCS competition. That said, the Genero Adran Premier is a completely different experience.
However, Keenan brings something different. A versatile winger who can play both sides, and even as a number 9 in the past, she has shown her goalscoring ability but also her strength out wide, which has made her incredibly difficult to defend against during her time in Ireland. Her goal in that FAI Cup Final comes from the willingness to get in front of the defender at the back post.
Several of Keenan’s goals and chances created have come as a result of her ability to keep hold of the ball, whether that be creating chances at the byline or cutting inside from the left to score herself.
“Gillian is an exciting addition to our squad and we’re delighted to have her with us,” said Cardiff City Manager Noah Bushby.
“Her experience of operating at a high level will be a great asset and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can achieve in a City shirt.
“Over the coming weeks, Gillian will integrate into our squad and we’ll look to gel and improve as a team ready for that first game of the season.”
We’ve had several high level footballers come into the Genero Adran Premier recently, and The Bluebirds signing a player with the pedigree of Gillian Keenan certainly adds to that, and once again states that Cardiff are still in the conversation at the right end of the division.
Keenan becomes Cardiff City’s second signing of the summer transfer window, having signed central defender Ella Hilliard on Monday from Bristol Rovers.
