Treaty Resurgence Ensures Exciting Final Third of the Season

Just under a month ago, Treaty United were enduring their toughest period in their short 18 month term as a senior men’s team in the Airtricity League when they had picked up just 1 victory in 11 league outings. To put some context on it, there were a lot of draws during that period and four of the defeats were against runaway leaders and full time outfits in the form of Cork City (x2), Galway United and Waterford FC. Uncharacteristically, Treaty were conceding soft goals and without the services of Enda Curran for a period, their attack appeared blunt.

Fast forward three weeks and the outlook couldn’t be better since that time. Three wins on the bounce accompanied by three clean sheets was the perfect outcome for games against Cobh, Longford and Bray. Furthermore, scoring 7 goals was very satisfying for Tommy Barrett with Curran’s return leading to four goals for the former Galway man. Everything in football can change so quickly and admittedly, I along with others had felt that Longford were assured of a play-off place.

However, the winning runs put together by Treaty and Wexford accompanied by a slump for Longford (until last night’s victory over ten-man Waterford), has blown the race for the final two play-off spots wide open with just six points separating all three sides. Treaty parted ways with both Joe Gorman and Charlie Fleming in defence as they joined Bray and Cobh respectively and in the case of the former, he did not enjoy a successful run in his short four month stay on Shannonside. Gorman’s tough campaign was summed up by his dismissal on his debut for Bray against none other than his former club Treaty last week.

Barrett has been busy strengthening his squad which was vital with defender Ben O’Riordan, strikers Success Edogun and Darren Collins arriving from Cobh, Athlone and Sligo respectively. Although it can be argued that O’Riordan and Edogun struggled to get into the starting 11’s of teams below Treaty in the table but both players have a lot of experience at this level and have built up reputations from performances in the past. O’Riordan impressed on his debut as he was introduced in place of the injured Treaty captain Jack Lynch during the Bray victory.

Our Sporting Limerick analyst Noel O’Connor selected two players who have been vital to the resurgence in recent weeks, singling out Callum McNamara who has converted to centre-back from his central midfield role and vice captain Marc Ludden who has been an influential leader for the club over the last 18 months.

“I was promoting him (McNamara) all through last season as well. For such a young chap to go from midfield to centre-back and play so well, it shows you how good of a player he is. There is a touch of leadership about him and he is missed in the midfield area now. Marc Ludden suffered a small dip a few games ago but there is now a pep in his step again. He was a really prominent performer in that Longford game.”

On reflection, occupying the final play-off place after 23 games is a success as it stands for Treaty but they will be desperate to equal last season’s finish in the top 5 even if Barrett and the players don’t say that publicly. Despite their status as full-time clubs, I don’t think anybody envisaged just how dominant both Cork and Galway would be in the first division considering the gap between 2nd and 5th was not so significant in 2021.

Considering the winless run not so long back, Treaty’s response has been superb. Another aspect which has went under the radar is the fact that Jack Brady has now kept 9 clean sheets and breaks Tadgh Ryan’s previous record set last season. Brady lost his place for a couple of games but has shown good character to return and become a vital part of the recent run. Keeping the likes of Brady, Lynch, Ludden, McNamara, Curran and Guerins fit will be vital for Treaty as we enter the final third of the campaign. We must not forget the contribution of Dean George who has enjoyed his best goal scoring season with 6.

As well as his new arrivals, Barrett will be hoping that the likes of Willie Armshaw, who has become known as the super sub who provides big moments when called upon, can contribute along with the likes of Steven Chrpstopher and Joel Coustrain. The latter duo have shown glimpses during their time with the club but the Treaty faithful will be hoping form more consistency and assists from the duo in the run in.

Treaty take on Usher Celtic next weekend in the FAI Senior Cup at the Markets Field.