Treaty United open season with a win.
The League of Ireland is a more popular product these days. Not even the most casual Irish soccer fan could ignore that fact when Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic sold out the Aviva Stadium for the FAI Cup Final in November.
But Limerick fans would be forgiven for wondering whether that popularity was ever going to transfer to the Markets Field. Despite Tommy Barrett’s men punching above their weight in recent seasons, crowds frequently disappointed in 2023.
That changed tonight. That definitely changed tonight.
Wearing blue in front of a boisterous home crowd, this felt like a throwback. A throwback before Treaty United ever existed, before Covid put a stop to football, and before Limerick FC fell into dire straits to leave the people of the Midwest without a side to proudly support every Friday night.
An hour before kick-off queues were forming outside the Garryowen ground.
Ten minutes before kick-off, the stand was virtually full.
Ten minutes into the game fans were back gasping with hands on heads as fan favourite Willie Armshaw pulled an effort so narrowly wide of the Cobh goalpost.
And ten minutes later they got their moment.
Waves of energised Treaty attack, generated by tenacious work in midfield from livewires Colin Conroy and Lee Devitt and sharpened by tricky dribblers Willie Armshaw and Thomas Considine, had Cobh under the cosh; eventually leading to a throw-in deep in their territory.
There, Robbie Lynch stepped up and launched a long throw-in that the now retired Marc Ludden would be proud of, panic duly ensued in the Cobh defence as a result, and then there was lift off.
It wasn’t a season opening goal anyone was dreaming of in their sleep last night but – you guessed right – a dodgy deflection off a visiting defender was enough to send the Markets Field into raptures. A long winter of anticipation fuelling every last cheer.
If the rest of the first half was more even, it was still Treaty who had the better of the chances. One of which saw Enda Curran find himself with a half chance blocked after even more dynamic work from the threatening trio of Armshaw, Christopher and new signing Considine.
Cobh enjoy brief spell.
Then of course there’s those head in hands moments. Minutes into the second half, Considine spilled the first blot onto his Treaty copybook by missing a huge chance when it was easier to score.
It should have been 2-0 but he had enough credit in the bank to keep the crowd’s groans to a minimum. The groans were reserved for two minutes later when Cobh broke downfield against the run of play and made it 1-1. A former Treaty player, Matt McKevitt, the scorer.
What the crowd in Limerick like, though, is a player who keeps their head up when things begin to go wrong. As the locals soon found out, young Considine is one of those players.
Looking to reclaim the lead, Treaty played it out from their own area until Considine was free, venturing forwards inside the visitors’ half. Probing and swerving he advanced to the cusp of the box, then, checking onto his left boot, he curled a beautiful finish which evaded defenders and the goalkeeper before kissing the left-side of the net.
Sure enough, drums were beaten to the tune of his name in the aftermath. A new chant born – maybe a new fan favourite too.
Considine inspired Treaty impress at Markets Field.
Things weren’t so straight forward in the next period as Cobh showed their hand on the offensive. A few spells in and around the Super Blues’ box didn’t help any nerves in the crowd – nerves Enda Curran had the chance to sedate with a golden opportunity after the 70th minute mark but just couldn’t apply his usual killer touch.
Though, maybe Enda was just protecting the narrative.
Late on, with the game still on a knife edge, it was that man again – Thomas Considine. Treaty, like they did for most of the match, constructed some impressive attacking play until the man of the moment had another chance to threaten the Cobh box.
Just like his first – and unlike his big miss – he shifted onto his cultured left boot and left the Cobh stopper with no chance.
In truth, it was a picture perfect finish that the occasion deserved. With a terrific crowd of 1,926 in attendance and attractive football played for long spells, it was only right that the paying fans went home happy.
If the rest of the season will be like this then Treaty fans are in for a treat.
FT: Treaty United 3-1 Cobh Ramblers.