Thomas Considine double helps fire Treaty United to opening night win in First Division

A NEW-LOOK Treaty United side got their fourth-ever League of Ireland campaign off to the best possible start possible thanks to a well-deserved 3-1 win over Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers in front of a bumper crowd of 1,926 at the Markets Field.

Leading 1-0 at half-time after Cobh Ramblers defender Brendan Frahill put a Robbie Lynch long throw into his own net, Tommy Barrett’s young side secured all three points in Garryowen as two debutant goals from Thomas Considine put Treaty back in front after Matthew McKevitt had equalised for Cobh.

Treaty, wearing blue at home for the first time, had a penalty call as early as the 54th second, but referee Ray Matthews quickly dismissed shouts from Enda Curran who felt he’d be pushed into the box as he tried to get on the end of a superb Oisin O’Reilly cross.  

Treaty, without their captain Mark Walsh who got married today, should have doubled their lead five minutes later in their First Division season opener. Darragh Burke saved a Curran shot from close-range before Lee Devitt’s rebounded effort was blocked.

In control of possession from early on and having the vast majority of the attacks of note, Treaty’s domination almost paid off, but lively winger Willie Armshaw could only watch on as his 12th minute effort whisked narrowly wide of the posts.

Tommy Barrett’s side were duly rewarded for their efforts eight minutes later when Frahill, jumping to contest a long Robbie Lynch throw alongside Curran, turned the ball off the post and into his own net.

Two players made their debut for the home side, Oisin Reilly and Thomas Considine who signed from Galway United and Wexford respectively, with both playing an integral part in Treaty’s vital opening day win.

Treaty, despite looking very comfortable and controlling the game for the first 50 minutes, were left chasing the game yet again after Cobh striker Matthew McKevitt struck the back of the net with a close-range header in the 52nd minute.

The home side, however, were back in front just six minutes later when Thomas Considine turned a stretched Cobh defence to curl home a debut goal just shy of the hour mark, making up for a missed effort in front of goal minutes earlier. In truth, it was a superb Stephen Christopher through ball that was the making of the goal.

The Blue Army were back in full voice again.

With 15 minutes left on the clock, substitute Fionn Doherty showed his class and pace to find Enda Curran inside in the six-yard box. The Galway man’s headed effort, however, glanced wide of the far posts, as Barrett’s men failed to put the result beyond doubt.

With just six minutes to go, Treaty did secure the win. It was Considine again, picking his spot with a superb left footed finish into the same corner as his opening goal. A perfect two-goal debut for the Kildare man. Curran was the provider.

Treaty, who face a trip to Dublin to face UCD next Friday, will hope to bring their impressive work rate and confidence into their first away game of the season.

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers; Stephen Christopher, Ben O’Riordan (capt.), Robbie Lynch, Oisin O’Reilly; Scott Kirkland; Colin Conroy; Thomas Considine, Lee Devitt, William Armshaw; Enda Curran. Subs: Fionn Doherty for Armshaw (66th minute), Alec Byrne for Kirland (79th minute), Adam O’Halloran for Considine (89th minute)

COBH RAMBLERS: Darragh Burke; Justin Eguaibor, Brendan Frahill, Dean Larkin; Dale Holland, Jason Abbott; Michael McCarthy, Jack Larkin, Cian Browne, Liam Kervick; Matthew McKevitt. Subs: Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh for Kervick (57th minute), James O’Leary for Browne, David Bosnjak for McKevitt (both 75th minute), Nolan Evers for McCarthy (84th minute)

REFEREE: Ray Matthews (Westmeath)