Waterford FC have signed four former Cork City WFC players ahead of their 2025 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign

Waterford FC have signed four former Cork City WFC players ahead of their 2025 SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division campaign which begins this weekend away to Treaty United.

Lauren Walsh, Daniel Burke, Olivia Gibson and Chloe Atkinson have all signed for Gary Hunt and their experience will make Waterford a much better side this season.

Walsh, a versatile and composed defender, brings an abundance of quality, experience, and adaptability to our squad for our maiden year in senior women’s football.

Lauren began her football journey with Wilton United, where she developed into a strong and intelligent defender before making the step up to senior football with Cork City FC.

Over the years, she became a key figure in the Women’s National League, making 80 appearances for Cork City and showcasing her ability to play both as a full-back and centre-back, offering tactical flexibility to any team she plays for.

Her talent was recognised early on when she was named Cork City FC’s WU19 Player of the Year in 2019, a testament to her development and impact at the underage level. 

She continued to impress as she transitioned into senior football, culminating in an outstanding 2023 season, where she was awarded Cork City FC Player of the Year.

Whether playing out wide or in the heart of the defense, Lauren’s defensive awareness, composure on the ball, and ability to read the game make her a vital asset on the pitch. She is equally adept at shutting down opposition attackers and driving forward to support the attack when needed.

Olivia Gibson makes the move to the Blues having previous League of Ireland experience with Treaty United FC.

Her football journey began with her local club Riverstown, she then moved to Wilton and from there to Passage AFC. 

Olivia was then signed by Cork City FC U17 and played a key role in Cork City FC’s Under-17 Women’s National League-winning team in 2020.

She demonstrated her ability to perform under pressure, playing a crucial role in securing the league title. 

Her potential was acknowledged early on when she received her Under-17 cap for Ireland, a testament to her hard work and promise in the sport.

In 2021, Olivia progressed to the senior level with Treaty United in the Women’s National League, where she made 20 appearances, starting 17 matches, and contributed three goals. 

Seeking new challenges, Olivia moved to the United States, where she played for Neosho County Community College in Kansas. 

Her freshman season was outstanding, tallying 20 goals and 11 assists. Her impressive performances earned her several accolades, including Offensive Player of the Year, First Team All-Conference, and First Team All-American honors.

Dan Burke was a commanding presence at the heart of Cork City’s defence for over seven seasons, Dan brings leadership, resilience, and top-level experience to our squad for the coming season.

Dan’s football journey began with Passage AFC, where she developed her defensive skills before progressing to the senior game. She went on to establish herself as a key player for Cork City FC, making over 140 competitive appearances for the Rebel Army.

Known for her composure, tactical awareness, and ability to read the game, Dan was a pillar of City’s backline, providing consistency and guidance to teammates.

Her impact was especially crucial during Cork City’s 2017 FAI Women’s Cup triumph, where she played a key role in securing a historic 1-0 victory over UCD Waves, helping the club lift its first major trophy.

Chloe Atkinson makes the move to the RSC, having spent the last three seasons with Cork City FC, where she made over 35 senior appearances for the Rebel Army.

The 20 year-old attacker joined Cork City’s WU17 from her hometown club Wilton United, where she showed her potential. Later that season, Chloe made her first-team debut at the age of 17, and has gone on to become a first-team regular since.

The exciting winger has international experience to her name, having been called up to the Republic of Ireland U17 side in 2022.