Treaty United miss out on play-off places for first time

Waterford 2-0 Treaty United

Treaty United’s season is over. That is after a loss to play-off hopefuls Waterford at the RSC.

With victory the only option for Tommy Barrett’s side, they came up short against a side who’d defeated them 7-0 on their last clash at the same venue. They were also hoping for a third successive season in the play-offs but this defeat, and Athlone’s scoreless draw with Longford Town means Treaty opted to make one change to his starting XI from the side which lost out to Galway United last weekend – Colin Conroy replacing Adam Lennon. Waterford, already assured of second place, rotated their team, but did include league top scorer and Limerick native, Ronan Coughlan.

The lacklustre nature of the home performance was epitomised by a string of offsides in the opening half, which were also well played by a disciplined Treaty defence.  

United had the better of the opening 45 minutes, but rarely made Sam Sargeant work. The best opening came to Dean George who mis-directed a header well wide from 10 yards wide. There was no score at the midway point, but the same was still true in Athlone – which kept Treaty in the play-off conversation.

The breakthrough goal – which left United with a mountain to climb – came from a 55^th minute corner – the ball finding it’s way to fullback Ryan Burke and he smashed it home from just inside the area via the butt of the post.

Treaty launched a treble change on 73 minutes, bringing on Enda Curran, Willie Armshaw and Adam Lennon but they failed to create anything of real note in the closing stages. Waterford, through their own sub, Dean McMenamy sealed another three points with the very last act. He raced into the centre to receive a pass which left him with an open goal.

It means Treaty finish the season in 6^th place, with 44 points from their 36 games.

The Blues, meanwhile, face Athlone Town in a two-legged play-off with Cobh Ramblers set to meet Wexford – all of which take place next weekend. Galway United collected the First Division silverware following a 2-0 success at home to Wexford, with Newcastle West native Killian Brouder a key member of that overdue success.

Waterford: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Giles Phillips (C), Derik Osede, Ryan Burke; Roland Idowu, Barry Baggley, Romeo Akachukwu, Rowan McDonald, Conor Parsons; Ronan Coughlan.

Subs: Niall O’Keeffe for McDonald, Shane Griffin for Baggley, Dean McMenamy for McAkachukwu (all 60 mins); Cameron Cresswell for Coughlan (67); Sam Perry for Phillips (76).

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Robbie Lynch, Ben O’Riordan, Mark Walsh, Marc Ludden (C); Colin Conroy, Conor Barry, Lee Devitt, Stephen Christopher; Dean George, Success Edogun.

Subs: Willie Armshaw for Christopher, Enda Curran for Edogun, Adam Lennon for Devitt (all 73 mins); Dean O’Shea for Lynch (80 mins);

Referee: Chris Sheehan (Cork)