Treaty United and Pike Rovers In FAI Cup Action This Weekend

Treaty United host Usher Celtic in the FAI Senior Cup tonight at the Markets Field and will be looking to ensure that they avoid becoming a scalp for the Leinster Senior League side (7.45).

Usher became a senior club in late 2020 having plied their trade in the junior ranks for many years. The club lost the 2020 FAI Junior Cup Final to Fairview Rangers which was played behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Treaty will be favourites to advance to the last 16 of the competition and with the team having a week break from league action recently, it is likely that manager Tommy Barrett will select a strong side for the tie. Barrett was part of a Limerick FC side which defeated a much fancied Drogheda United in 2006 and will be warning his players against complacency ahead of the game.

It is Treaty’s second game in the cup competition as they were defeated by Dundalk in the second round in 2021 after a Patrick McEleney goal in extra-time at a sun soaked Markets Field.

Treaty announced that striker Jack Arra has left the club to re-join Regional United in the Limerick District Premier League. Arra rejoins the club under the new management of former Limerick FC player Sean Russell, son of former Limerick FC manager Martin. The club thanked Arra for his contribution on their official media pages.

Recent arrivals Darren Collins, Ben O’Riordan and Success Edogun could make their first starts at the Markets Field but captain Jack Lynch is ruled out through injury. Robert Dowling will be the referee for the game and will be assisted by Rafal Pieper and Joseph Hession.

Sporting Limerick soccer analyst Noel O’Connor believes that home advantage tonight is a big advantage for Treaty but does expect a tough challenge from Usher.

“Being at home on a Friday night is a big advantage. You wouldn’t fancy going to Dublin on a Saturday or Sunday with a big local crowd. Usher Celtic are relatively new to the Leinster Senior League and a very proud club. They have players with pedigree but I think it’s a good draw for Treaty and they are on a good run.”

Limerick District League club Pike Rovers are also in FAI Senior Cup action as they travel to Letterkenny to take on Bonagee United on Sunday with a 2pm kick-off. It is an arduous trip for Robbie Williams side who are no strangers to the latter rounds of the Junior Cup and hence making appearances at this level.

One of their appearances included a 3-2 defeat to Premier Division side Sligo Rovers in 2011. It came shortly after Pike’s first FAI Junior Cup success. Pat Mullins, Gary Neville, Eoin Hanrahan and Eddie O’Donovan played on the night for the Hoops and are still part of the squad now. Manager Williams was part of the Cork City squad which won the FAI Senior Cup at the Aviva Stadium against Dundalk following penalties.

To watch the full build up to the game and discussion about the current FAI Cup famine in Limerick, click on the link below.