Third Trip to Dublin in a Month for Treaty United

Treaty United make their third trip to Dublin in four weeks when they take on Cabinteely in Stradbrook on Friday night (7.45). In their previous Dublin encounters, there were 9 goals scored as the Limerick based side lost 3-2 to UCD and drew 2-2 with Shelbourne.

Last weekend, Treaty bounced back from their first defeat of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Athlone Town at the Markets Field, Captain Jack Lynch was on hand to finish a superbly weighted through ball from Sean McSweeney to move them into fourth position.

Positively for Treaty, Anthony O’Donnell and Sean Guerins were restored to the heart of the defence allowing Clyde O’Connell and Jack Lynch to move into midfield. There was more solidity and balance to the team from the week previously.

Cabinteely endured a 3-0 defeat in Bray last week in which the South Dublin outfit were uncharacteristically lethargic and conceded poor goals. It was a poor week for ‘Cabo’ as it was confirmed that Galway United would be awarded the 3 points for the postponed fixture between the clubs in April. Manager Pat Devlin has since called for a review of the Covid-19 protocols from the FAI.

Devlin is the most experienced manager in the league across both divisions and is assisted by former Bray manager Eddie Gormley and former UCD manager Collie O’Neill. Although Tommy Barrett does not have the experience of Devin, he has been involved in the Airtricity League as a player, coach and manager for many years.

The Limerick man is also unhappy with the current Covid-19 rules as his side were recently informed that they missed the deadline to sign U-19 players on dual forms. “We cannot play our U-19’s as they weren’t signed on time so we have to give a walkover if something like that (Waterford FC situation) happens to us. For me that is ridiculous and unfair.”

Ahead of the game, Tommy is hopeful that a couple of players will be fully fit to take part but also ruled out three players for a longer period.

“Dean George is training tonight so we are hoping he will be okay. Charlie Fleming and Sean McSweeney are suffering from tendonitis. Aaron Fitzgerald, Conor Melody and Mark Walsh are going to be out long-term. Kieran Hanlon is carrying a groin injury and will have to be assessed.”

There is jut one point separating both teams ahead of the game and Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters will have to be monitored by the impressive O’Donnell and Guerins as he is Cabinteely’s record goal scorer and boasts the likes of Shamrock Rovers as his former clubs.