Treaty United Player Profiles: Devitt, Christopher and Barry

Stephen Christopher. Stephen is entering his second full season with Treaty United having joined the club from Galway United midway through 2021. The 26 year old is entering his 7th consecutive season in the League of Ireland. He spent the first four years of his career with Cobh Ramblers after graduating from the club’s U-19 side in 2016.

He impressed with Cobh and attracted the interest of full-time outfit Galway United whom he signed for in 2019. He spent just under 2 years with the Tribesmen but departed the club midway through the 2021 season in search of regular first team football. He became a regular for Treaty United for the remainder of the season which included a push for the play-offs.

Christopher operated on the left side of an attacking three and perhaps his best performance in a Treaty jersey came in the first hour of the play-off second leg against UCD before he was shown a straight red card by referee Alan Patchell for a foul on Evan Farrell. Treaty went on to lose the game 4-2 on aggregate despite a valiant display. Stephen is a versatile player who can operate on either wing but arguably his best performances have come in an attacking midfield role.

He has played in that position during pre-season and scored against a Limerick District League XI in the final-pre season game. Chritopher can also be employed as a right-back which is an area of concern for Treaty should Ben O’Riordan drop out of the team.

Lee Devitt: Another former Cobh Ramblers player, Devitt was a key player for Treaty United in their run to the play-offs and the FAI Cup Semi-Final in 2022. Devitt played in central midfield for the majority of the campaign and due to injury and suspension, he had various partners in the middle of the park throughout 2022. However, Devitt was as consistent as always and his tireless work rate endeared him to the Treaty faithful.

Jokingly nicknamed a silent assassin by a couple of teammates, despite not being the most physically imposing player, Devitt is known to provide a crunching tackle and can often set the tone for teammates in big games. He has added goals to his game including against Waterford FC in last year’s play-off and Maynooth in the FAI Cup. Devitt quietly sets about his business and although he won’t always grab the headlines of a Curran or Armshaw, he is vital to this Treaty team.

He is predominantly a central midfielder but he is equally adept at left-back or on the left side of midfield. His unselfish attitude allows the previously mentioned attacking players to flourish but he also has the energy to support the attack. The Newmarket native began his career with Limerick FC and played under Tommy Barrett during the 2019 season before spending two years at Cobh Ramblers.

Conor Barry: The well travelled midfielder/attacker signed for Treaty United from First Division rivals Wexford FC. Barry began his career with Salthill Devon before joining hometown League of Ireland club Galway FC in 2014. In 2016, he signed for rivals Athlone Town but spent just one season with the Midlands outfit before returning to Galway. He left Galway in 2020 to join Donegal outfit Finn Harps but after just 7 appearances, he went out on loan to former club Athlone Town.

Upon the completion of his loan with the Midlanders, he signed for Wexford FC under Ian Ryan. He played 27 times for the South-East outfit with 15 of them from the start. Barry contributed 4 goals as Wexford missed on the play-offs finishing 6th behind Barry’s new club Treaty.

In the final pre-season game, the attacker looked lively as he played on the left side of a front three and had two chances to get on the scoresheet. With Enda Curran in the centre and Willie Armshaw, Success Edogun and Dean George also vying for a place in the team for Friday night, it is a competitive area of the pitch. In a similar vein to Stephen Christopher, Barry possesses quick feet and plenty of pace to trouble opposition defenders.

Speaking to Treaty United’s Robert Brennan on the club’s official account ahead of the season, Barry was complimentary of the team spirit at the club.

“One thing that stood out was the togetherness of the group. The core of the group is still there from the last two seasons which is great. It’s no fluke to get to the play-offs two years in a row and getting to a cup semi-final.”