Investment begins new era for Treaty United

Tommy Barrett was also confirmed as the men’s team manager for 2024, which will be his fourth season in charge.

Canadian based Tricor Pacific Capital Inc. have announced, through their new CEO, Ciara McCormack of their investment into Treaty Untied.

McCormack, who lined out for United’s Women’s side in the early part of 2023, was speaking at a press briefing at the Clayton Hotel on Tuesday. The news appears widely welcomed by supporters of the club, which was established in 2020.

With the club operating on a near amateur status since their inception, they will look at investing more in their squads as they look to progress on the field. Tommy Barrett was also confirmed as the men’s team manager for 2024, which will be his fourth season in charge.

The 44-year-old is a former Irish international and takes the reigns from outgoing chairperson, Conn Murray, who vacates his position having helped found the club nearly four years ago. McCormack is also one of the investors with the firm.

“I approached the club in March, that got the ball rolling. It has definitely been an intense few months trying to make this happen. It is super exciting now that it is done. To know that we are building something moving forward is really exciting,”

“I reached out to the League of Ireland, maybe two years ago. My mother is from West Cork. I had this romantic notion of starting a women’s team in West Cork, but when I spoke to the league they were moving towards men’s, women’s and academy clubs, they didn’t want standalone teams.”, explained McCormack.

“I reached out to the board last year, and brought the Canadian players in (to the Women’s team). They were very skeptical. This random girl from North America wanting to bring over these investors, it sounded a bit far-fetched. But I came in with the players and did everything I said I would. That built the trust”.

Ciara McCormack

While Treaty are a tenant at Markets Field, establishing a more permanent home for training may be important, though McCormack was optimistic about how the club may work with other football stakeholders.

“I don’t have a full grasp of what it looks like. I can see from initial conversations this week there are a lot of groups eager to partner and eager and to work together”

“I see from Ireland exactly where North America was twenty years ago, I see all the possibilities and know from watching first-hand how quickly things can change if there are professional structures and people in place. It is on me to follow through on what I’ve said but I feel quite confident”.

Meanwhile, on the field of play, the club sees the men’s team play its final regular game of the 2023 season, away to Waterford this Friday. Nothing less than a victory will do for Barrett’s men, who will also need Longford Town to defeat Athlone Town in order to seal play-off football for a third straight season.

The women’s clash with Shamrock Rovers on November 4^th will be broadcast by TG4 from Markets Field with a 16:50 kick-off. This is the first time that the women’s side will be broadcast live on television.