WATCH: Resilient Treaty United score first league win of the season with precious victory over Athlone

TREATY United recorded their first win of the SSE Airtricity League First Division season beating Athlone Town 2-0 at the Markets Field on Friday night.

After a lacklustre opening period, a two-goal salvo in the second half proved decisive in Treaty's sixth league outing of the season. Ben Feeney and Cian Curtis on target for the hosts who had taken two points from their opening five games.

Treaty have now ended a winless period spanning 146 days, a run stretching back to the play-off semi-final first leg against Cobh Ramblers in late October 2025.

The opening 20 minutes were massively devoid of goalmouth action but the visitors could’ve broken the deadlock on 26 minutes.

Treaty goalkeeper Aaron Maloney’s powerful 30-yard effort was saved by Treaty goalkeeper Jack Brady; Athlone couldn’t exploit the resultant corner kick.

Ian Ryan’s men threatened again on 37 minutes. Patrick Ferry collected a loose ball in the box and his low shot was repelled by Brady.

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Treaty almost took the lead three minutes later. Ben Feeney’s curling shot from the edge of the box went narrowly wide as it remained scoreless at the break.

Treaty went 1-0 up 60 seconds into the second half; Ben Feeney bagged his first goal of the season against his former club.

The Athlone rearguard failed to deal with Robbie Lynch’s right-wing cross, Feeney collected the loose ball inside the box and calmly fired low to the net.

Treaty could’ve added another goal from a corner kick on 54 minutes. Robbie Lynch headed Kyle Foley’s delivery back across goal before Cian Curtis volleyed over the crossbar.

The hosts were awarded a penalty on 63 minutes when Evan O’Connor was adjudged to have fouled Jevontae Layne inside the box.

Curtis converted the spot kick for his third goal of the season sending Andrew Stuart-Trainor the wrong way.

Athlone were now under pressure but carved an opportunity 60 seconds later. Ferry’s 18-yard effort sailed over the crossbar after he was teed up by Brian McManus.

Jason Oyenuga almost scored on 72 minutes. The former Athlone winger connected with Robbie Lynch’s cross but his downward header went wide.

Ben Feeney gets Treaty United ahead with a goal against his former club! pic.twitter.com/8Btuie1aDh

— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) March 20, 2026

Three minutes later, Athlone survived another scare. Feeney pirouetted gracefully in the box but couldn’t direct his subsequent effort on target.

Kyle O’Connor tried to pull one back for the visitors three minutes from time. His 20-yard effort went wide as Treaty held on for a precious victory

TREATY UNITED: Jack Brady; Robbie Lynch, Eric Yoro, Ben Lynch, Kyle Foley; Steven Healy, Raphael Ohin; Ben Feeney, Cian Curtis, Jason Folarin-Oyenuga; Jevontae Layne (Roy Lawlor 68).

ATHLONE TOWN: Andrew Stuart-Trainor; Reece Webb, Oisin Hand (Jack Kehir 23), Evan O’Connor, Kyle O’Connor; Aaron Moloney, Brian McManus; Gradi Lomboto (Robert Lyons 65), Aaron Connolly (William Smith 86), Derinsola Adewale (Cillian Tollett 65); Patrick Ferry (Peter Grogan 65).

REFEREE: Ian O’Keeffe