Treaty United Player Profiles: Joel Coustrain and Conor Melody

Conor Melody: The winger/attacking midfielder had a torrid time with injury last season resulting in him missing virtually the entire campaign. Thankfully, the Galway native returned towards the end of the season and scored in the play-off semi-final defeat away to UCD in what proved to be the final game of the season for Treaty.

Having spent his schoolboy career with Mervue United, Melody made the switch to Galway United U-19’s in 2014. He made a real impression in his debut season and in 2015, he played regular first-team football for the Tribesmen. Melody has plenty of Airtricity League experience and spent the next five seasons with his hometown senior club before departing at the end of the 2020 season.

Melody has looked fit in pre-season for Treaty and looked particularly dangerous in attacking midfield role against Waterford FC. It will feel like a new signing for Tommy Barrett who spoke highly of the player this week.

Joel Coustrain: The winger has looked really sharp in pre-season and looks like a favourite to start as part of a front three against Wexford on Friday night. When in-form, Coustrain is a very talented and quick player with the ability to take on his opponent on both flanks and he will be desperate to add goals and assists to his game this year. When called upon last year, Coustrain worked hard in both attack and defence but seemed to struggle for confidence.

Joel also suffered injury set-backs at crucial times but showed his capabilities with a fine performance in the second leg against UCD in the play-offs. Although we had been somewhat critical of Joel on occasion on the Soccer Scene podcast, there is no doubting that he has the potential to cause opposition defences problems.

He also has pedigree at Airtricity League level when you consider that he has played for illustrious clubs like Shamrock Rovers and Cork City. He spent all of his schoolboy career with Corbally United until he secured a move to Sheffield United at the age of 15. Upon his departure, he joined Raith Rovers before returning to Ireland. The Limerick native will be desperate to nail down a starting place early as there is plenty of competition in wide areas.

Manager Tommy Barrett felt Coustrain performed well last season but wasn’t helped by injuries.

“I thought Joel was really good for a lot of the season. He played regularly in a team that finished fourth in the table. He thought he was unlucky with injury but when he played he was instrumental in our winning streak midway through the campaign.”