2022 Season Preview: Treaty United

Head coach: Tommy Barrett

Stadium: Markets Field.

Players in: Jack Brady and Denzil Fernandes (Shelbourne); Martin Coughlan and Lee Devitt (Cobh Ramblers); Joe Gorman (Galway United); Enda Curran (Mervue United); Colin Conroy (Bohemians U-19); Jack Arra (Regional United); Conor Winn (returns from career break)

Players out: Tadhg Ryan (Bohemians); Sean McSweeney (Shelbourne); Edward McCarthy (Galway United); Matthew McKevitt (Peake Villa); Clyde O’Connell. 

Extratime.com key man: Marc Ludden

Marc Ludden was Treaty’s sole representative on the 2021 PFA Ireland First Division Team of the Year and he fully deserved to make the cut.

Ludden’s unrivalled deliveries from set-pieces are one of Treaty’s main strengths; he amassed six assists last season including a mixture of long throws and corner kicks.

His importance to the team is evidenced further by the fact that he only missed one solitary game. The exception being Treaty’s 0-0 draw with Cork City in September where he served a suspension.

Ludden’s a defender first and foremost but his attacking instincts are useful occasionally and his positional awareness poses a problem for opposition defences.

A microcosm of same can be seen in Treaty’s 4-1 win over Athlone Town where he finished off a sublime move.



Extratime.com one to watch: Willie Armshaw

Willie Armshaw was utilised as an impact substitute for much of last season but still endeared himself to the Treaty fans somewhat.

Despite predominantly making cameo appearances in 2021, he was still one of his side’s main goal scorers. For Armshaw however, quality supersedes quantity.

His long-range strikes against Shelbourne and Cobh Ramblers were spectacular but his main party piece is a deft finish preceded by a dazzling display of wizardry.

His wonderful solo effort against Bray Wanderers is a classic case in point.

How they did last season:



League: 4th.

Treaty United surpassed the expectations of many by reaching the play-offs in their maiden first division campaign. A truly phenomenal achievement when you consider the squad was assembled just a few weeks before the start of the season.

Tommy Barrett’s squad is dominated by amateur players, yet the Limerick outfit held their own against full-time outfits.

Two wins over Cork City are testimony to that, as well as coming from behind to draw with eventual champions Shelbourne on two occasions.

Only Shelbourne and Galway United conceded fewer goals than Treaty last season and their defensive solidity helped yield a place in the play-offs. The squad was blessed with quality defenders but was threadbare in certain areas.

The lack of depth became more noticeable in the latter stages of the campaign with just two wins from their final ten games excluding the play-offs.

All things considered, it was a successful season for Tommy Barrett’s men. Their exploits yielded impressive attendances at the Markets Field when restrictions eased and similar turnouts are forecasted for the upcoming season.

FAI Cup: First-round

12-time champions Dundalk needed extra-time to get over Treaty United in the opening round of last year’s FAI cup.

Patrick McEleney scored the winner as the Lilywhites progressed, but Treaty could hold their heads high following a brave performance.

What to expect this season:

Treaty United will be buoyed by their exploits last season but Tommy Barret’s men are without two of the main protagonists.

Goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan has joined Bohemians and his calming presence in goals will be a major void having kept eight clean sheets in 28 games.

Last season’s top goal scorer Sean McSweeney has also graduated to the top-flight of Irish football having completed a move to Shelbourne.

The absence of a proven serial goal scorer is a major concern but the retention of key defensive players like Marc Ludden, Sean Guerins and captain Jack Lynch is a major positive.

Treaty’s solid rearguard helped secure qualification for the play-offs last season and something similar could be on the cards again this season.

First game: Treaty open their first division campaign with a trip to Ferrycarrig Park to face Wexford on Friday, 18th February.

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