Treaty United Continue Preparations Ahead of the New Season

With the new year upon us, excitement is building for the 2023 League of Ireland season. This year will be Treaty United’s third in the league following the team’s formation in 2021. Manager Tommy Barrett has successfully led the club to back to back promotion/relegation play-off campaigns. Although unsuccessful in both ventures, the club were unexpectedly involved at all given the lack of financial power in comparison with many of their rivals.

Since the climax of the 2022 season, Treaty have lost the services of some key players including Jack Brady and Callum McNamara who have moved to fellow First Division clubs Longford Town and Galway United respectively. The worst kept secret was revealed when Matt Keane joined league newcomers and hometown club Kerry FC under the stewardship of former Limerick FC player Billy Dennehy and the trio of Jack Lynch, Conor Melody and Joe Collins have emigrated.

The news of several departures came in the space of a 2 week period and left the ardent Treaty supporters becoming anxious. However, the club have since bolstered the squad significantly. There have been a number of re-signings with the likes of Marc Ludden, Enda Curran and Mark Walsh committing to the club for another season. Former Cobh duo Ben O’Riordan and Steven Christopher were key players in last season’s play-off run and have agreed to stay at the Markets Field.

Midfield trio Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy and Martin Coughlan have remained at the Markets Field with the latter two in particular primed to play a much bigger role in 2023 due to the mass exodus of players in that position. Forward trio Dean George, Willie Armshaw and Success Edogun will provide plenty of pace and goal threat for Barrett’s side with George enjoying his most fruitful season last year scoring 11 goals. Unfortunately, injury ruled the Dubliner out of the play-offs and FAI Cup semi-final which was a blow for the Limerick side.

Furthermore, two of the club’s under-age graduates Josh Quinlivan and Scott Kirkland have signed first team deals. Quinlivan remains the club’s youngest scorer having netted against Cabinteely on the final day of the 2021 Airtricity League season. There had been many rumours that goalkeeper Tadgh Ryan would return to the Limerick club where he had such an impressive season in 2021 but the netminder has signed for Derry City. Last season’s number 2 Conor Winn has re-signed for the club but it is likely that Barrett is keen to add another goalkeeper to his ranks.

All of the aforementioned players have featured for the club in the past two seasons. However, Barrett also managed to secure the signings of two creative players in Ryan Connolly and Conor Barry. Connolly is a well-known talent in the League of Ireland having played for the likes of Shamrock Rovers and hometown club Galway United in the top tier for many years. Connolly was part of the Finn Harps side who lost their top flight status in 2022 but he will add plenty of experience to the side.

Conor Barry spent the 2022 season with Wexford FC who missed out on the play-offs. He scored 5 goals in 27 appearances for Ian Ryan’s side and will be familiar with many of his new teammates who he plied his trade with at Galway United in the past.

The league has been restored to 10 teams with the welcome addition of Kerry FC. Treaty’s first Munster derby against Dennehy’s side will take place at Mounthawk Park on March 3rd. Waterford FC and Galway United will once again be the early favourites to challenge for the league title.

Bray Wanderers are under new management with former Wexford boss Ian Ryan appointed as Head Coach and taking some of Wexford’s key players with him. However, Wexford have also made some eye catching signings under new manager James Keddy. Ethan Boyle and Conor Levingston have joined from Finn Harps and Bohemians while Jordan Adeyemo and Aaron Robinson have signed from Longford.

Longford are also under new management with Stephen Henderson taking over at Bishopsgate and appointing former Sligo Rovers captain Gavin Peers as first-team coach. Jack Brady, Derek Daly, Stephen Meaney and Daragh Lynch have all arrived since while Shane Elworthy and Sam Verdon have re-signed. Cobh Ramblers manager Shane Keegan has managed to sign one of the most sought after players in the first division as playmaker Jack Doherty makes the move to St. Colman’s Park. With that news in mind, the league appears to be a lot more competitive for play-off places.

Treaty United’s season begins on February 17th with a home tie against Bray Wanderers at the Markets Field. We have attached the full fixture list for both the men’s and women’s team below.

Treaty United Squad 2023:

Goalkeepers: Conor Winn

Defenders: Ben O’Riordan, Mark Walsh, Marc Ludden, Scott Kirkland

Midfielders: Martin Coughlan, Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy, Ryan Connolly, Josh Quinlivan, Steven Christopher

Attackers: Enda Curran, Success Edogun, Dean George, Willie Armshaw, Conor Barry