“Girls have something to aim for now” | Dominic Foley gives first interview since joining Treaty United

Foley was evidently excited for the future, as he spoke on the culture he hopes to instil, as well as the development of the women’s game.

Dominic Foley has given his first interview since being appointed manager of the Treaty United Senior Women’s side. The Cork man was announced as manager ahead of the new SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division season, as the club enter an exciting new era following the recent takeover by Tricor Pacific in partnership with the club’s new CEO Ciara McCormack.

Foley was evidently excited for the future, as he spoke on the culture he hopes to instil, as well as the development of the women’s game.

The new boss revealed that the door was opened by a phone call from Senior Men’s manager Tommy Barrett, and following meetings with the club he was “impressed” with their plans for the future.

“It was a strange one it kind of came out of nowhere. I got a phone call from Tommy Barrett, and he just asked me if I would be interested in speaking to Ciara and Mary, that they had big plans for the future for the Ladies game, it all happened from there. I had some meetings and I was impressed with what they were going to try and do with Treaty, so here I am!”

The Treaty United women’s team have just finished their second competitive season, picking up eight points and finishing tenth in the Women’s Premier Division in 2023.

With the side in it’s infancy, Foley says they are “starting from ground level,” but the Charleville native is looking forward to working with the squad, and transforming them in his vision.

“We’re starting from ground level, what we’re going to try and do is instil a culture, a professionalism into the club, and build it from there upwards. They have great visions for recruiting players, for me as a coach to be able to get a lot of time with the players, four to five times a week, which is very enticing it gives me the best opportunity to influence players, to bring across my ideas and pass on my experiences.”

The 47-year-old enjoyed a distinguished playing career with top flight experience at Wolverhampton Wanderers in England, as well as spells with a number of UK teams. He also lined out in some more exotic venues, playing for Ethnikos Piraeus in Greece and Braga in Portugal, in addition to eight years in the top league in Belgium at Gent and Cercle Brugge.

A Liverpool fan in his youth, Foley looked up to players like John Barnes and Robbie Fowler. He believes that young girls today have something to look at, and something to aim for.

“We all remember growing up ourselves we could see what was happening in England, I was a Liverpool fan so I would try and emulate the likes of John Barnes and Robbie Fowler. Young girls growing up now have something to look at. We can see more often to matches in the Ladies league in England, and I think girls have something to aim for now. What we hope to do is have an U17 Ladies team and U19 and Senior, and give them a pathway through to the Senior Ladies team and hopefully go on from there to bigger and better things.”

When asked what type of culture he will look to bring to the club, Foley revealed it’s simply all about discipline.

He speaks as a man who truly wants the best for his players, and made clear that one of his main goals is the long-term development of the squad.

“I’m a big believer in discipline, I feel it helped me over the eighteen years I was able to play professional. On the field, off the field, what you eat, when you go out partying and when you don’t. We want them to be the best versions of themselves that they can be so we’re going to try put all those stepping stones in place for them, and give them a pathway to the very top.”

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Foley has already spent time Shannonside, finishing his career with Limerick FC, having also spent time with Bohemians.

The Cork man represented the Republic of Ireland at U21 and senior level, making his debut in 2000 under Mick McCarthy. He pulled on the green jersey six times at senior level, scoring two goals.