Waterford FC have announced that Maeve Williams and Fiana Bradley will return for the 2026 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign.

Williams, started each of their 26 games across all competitions in 2025, and she looks to play another important role for Gary Hunt’s side in 2026.

The goalkeeper was named vice-captain of the Blues ahead of the 2025 season, before taking over captaincy for the second-half of the season following Danielle Griffin’s departure, where Maeve led by example both on & off the pitch for the group.

She spent over seven years with Wexford FC before joining her hometown club last year, coming up through the ranks of the Wexford academy before going on to make over 70 first team appearances across domestic & European matches, along with picking up four pieces of silverware with the club, winning three FAI Cups (2018, 2019 & 2021) as well as a SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division winners medal in 2018.

Now back for 2026 with the Blues, Williams will look to build on a positive first year in the SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division for the girls in Blue.

Speaking on re-signing with the club for the coming season, Williams spoke of her excitement at getting back into the action, saying:

“I’m buzzing to be back. I love this club and I’m determined to play a part in bringing success to our women’s section. I can’t wait to get back to the RSC after such a long off-season and continue to build on the foundations that we’ve laid so far.”

Head Coach Gary Hunt is delighted to work with Williams once again in 2026, mentioning:

“Its great to have Maeve back again for 2026. What she brings on and off the pitch has contributed a lot towards our growth as a team and I have no doubt this will be the same again, if not more due to the standards she sets herself and her teammates.

Working alongside Kevin last season really propelled Maeve’s game to the next level and she was one of the reasons why as a new team in the league we could compete in games.

Meanwhile, 19 year-old Bradley, continues with the Blues for 2026, having re-joined the club in July of last year, where she went on to play a crucial role leading the line for Gary Hunt’s side for the second-half of the season.

Bradley made her senior League of Ireland debut for Cork City in August 2022 at just 15 years old. Since then, she has amassed over 50 senior appearances in the Women’s Premier Division and quickly established herself as a key player for the Blues.

Before stepping into the senior game, she dominated at academy level – scoring over 30 goals in each of her first two seasons in the League of Ireland Academy, as well as earning international recognition with caps for the Republic of Ireland WU16 & WU17 sides.

Fiana made an immediate impact for the Blues last season, netting three times for Waterford – with stunning strikes against both Shelbourne & Treaty United the pick of her goals.

Speaking to the club after putting pen to paper for 2026, Bradley spoke of her delight to play in-front of the Blues support saying:
“I am delighted that I have the opportunity to be re-signing with such an amazing club and team. When I joined Waterford last season, I found an even stronger love for the game, and that’s because of our manager Gary, all the first team staff, all the supporters and most importantly all the girls on the team. I can’t wait for this season to start in March against Wexford now. Come on the Blues!

Blues Head Coach Gary Hunt is delighted to retain the services of Bradley for 2026, mentioning:

“Fiana returning for 2026 is a sign that coming into a group mid season and wanting to return means that the environment we created for the players is something they want to be part of. Her ability on the football is up there with many I have seen and is evident with some of the goals she has scored for the club. The challenge for Fiana now will be to produce that on a more regular basis and from our conversations, she is excited with the challenge to do that. She has a brilliant support network which without it would not be possible for her to hit the levels she can and this is crucial again for her ahead of the new season. I’m excited to get back on the pitch and working with Fiana for 2026.”