Treaty United Squad Announced Ahead of New Season

Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett has been exceptionally busy as of late in an attempt to assemble a competitive squad ahead of the 2021 Airtricity League First Division season.

The former Shamrock Rovers player will be assisted this year by former Aisling Annacotty manager Mike McCarthy while former Treaty United Women’s manager Dave Rooney will be the team’s goalkeeping coach.

Also, former Pike Rovers manager Mick Shiel will be the team’s strength and conditioning coach.

Last Tuesday, 35 players attended a trial session at Limerick Institute of Technology. Following the session, the former Limerick FC manager began shaping his squad and we will now look at the confirmed signings in each department.

In the goalkeeping department, Shane Cusack formerly of Newmarket Celtic and one time Limerick FC understudy to Barry Ryan, has agreed to sign and will be competing with former Waterford and Cork City goalkeeper Tadgh Ryan.

Since returning from Huddersfield Town, Ryan has struggled to gain a regular place in the Airtricity League Premier Division. Signing for Treaty in his home town provides Ryan with a great opportunity to re-ignite his career.

In defence, the most impressive capture is the signing of long-time Airtricity League stalwart Marc Ludden who spent the last eight years with Galway United. Ludden left John Caulfield’s outfit at the end of last season as he could not commit to full-time football.

Furthermore, Jack Lynch who is another former Galway team-mate and the son of former Waterford and Limerick manager Tommy, will join Ludden at Treaty.

Clyde O’Connell excelled at junior level with Fairview Rangers last year and won an FAI Junior Cup, scoring the winning goal in the final. He re-unites with Barrett but it remains to be seen whether he will be used at centre-back or centre-midfield.

He is joined in defence by former teammates Alan Murphy and Aaron Fitzgerald. Both left-backs by trade, they return to senior soccer following spells at Fairview and Janesboro respectively. Sean Guerins, captain of St. Michaels, has been added along with former Cork City right-back Charlie Fleming.

Another former Galway duo in midfielders Joe Collins and Conor Melody have made the switch to Shannonside.

Collins is a central midfielder while Melody generally operates on the wing. Another welcome addition will be that of former Shamrock Rovers and Cork City winger Joel Coustrain.

He has lost his way slightly since his departure from Rovers two seasons ago but Barrett will be hoping he can rekindle his spark.

The striking department will be Barrett’s biggest concern at present. Advances for former League of Ireland duo Connor Ellis and Enda Curran were unsuccessful despite the latter being a close call.

It leaves Treaty with three out and out strikers as of now; Adam Foley, Kieran Hanlon and former Athlone Town striker Dean George.

Below is the full squad list for the season.

Treaty United Squad:

Goalkeepers: Shane Cusack, Tadgh Ryan

Defenders: Jack Lynch, Clyde O’Connell, Marc Ludden, Sean Guerins, Alan Murphy, Charlie Fleming, Aaron Fitzgerald, Anthony O’Donnell, Mark Walsh

Midfielders: Joe Collins, Matt Keane, Shane Lowth, Ed O’Dwyer, Callum McNamara, Conor Melody, Joel Coustrain, Ed McCarthy, Sean McSweeney, William Armshaw

Strikers: Adam Foley, Kieran Hanlon, Dean George, Kieran Mahony, Matt McKevitt