Treaty United Player Profiles: Sean Guerins and Joe Gorman

As we continue to trawl through the Treaty United squad for 2022, I look at the history of likely centre-back pairing Sean Guerins and Joe Gorman.

In comparison to his playing partner, Guerins has had a rather steady career in terms of the quantity of teams he has played for. At the young age of 18, he made his Airtricity League bow with Athlone Town in 2012. He played alongside his current manager Tommy Barrett and current team-mate Mark Walsh but it proved to be his only year in the Midlands.

Guerins enjoyed huge success at junior level with Tipperary outfit St. Michaels, winning an FAI Junior Cup as recently as 2019 as well as several league titles. He possesses a huge amount of composure at the heart of the defence and he was well known to the Limerick junior soccer population before his arrival to Treaty United.

Considering there had been 9 years between his two appearances at Airtricity League level, there was understandably question marks over whether Guerins could make the step up once more. There was no need to worry as he made the step-up seamlessly and barring a unfortunate ankle injury which ruled him out for over two months, would have been in the running for player of the year. He formed a great partnership with Anthony O’Donnell which was a huge reason for the team reaching the play-offs.

There was interest in acquiring his services from reputable clubs in the off-season, namely first division rivals Galway United, but due to his work with the Irish Army, Guerins would have been unable to commit to full-time football and he remains on Shannonside.

Guerins anticipation and ability to see danger is second to none and will be invaluable to Barrett once more in 2022. Considering how light the squad is at centre-back, he needs to remain fit for last year’s achievements to be matched. He recently netted his first goal for the club in the Munster Senior Cup win over Waterford FC.

As previously mentioned, Guerins partnership with Anthony O’Donnell was a key reason for the success of the team last season. Therefore, Joe Gorman’s performances and chemistry with Guerins will also be key. O’Donnell managed to score 6 goals from set-pieces last season and could have hit double figures. Gorman is also renowned for his prowess from attacking set-pieces. He has already shown his strength in that area against Waterford.

Gorman’s arrival to Treaty was very sudden due to cancelling of his contract at Portadown in a very quick fashion. It was a coup for Tommy Barrett who definitely needed more signings in that area. Gorman is no stranger to the first division as he was promoted with Longford Town through the play-offs in 2020. He only spent half of the 2021 Premier Division season with the Midlanders before signing for John Caulfield’s Galway.

Despite striking up a decent partnership with Killian Brouder, Gorman could not help the club earn promotion to the top flight. He is a commanding presence in defence and his aerial ability combined with Guerins reading of the game, Treaty supporters will be hoping for a positive season on that front.