Treaty United boss Tommy Barrett says tougher challenges ahead after opening night win

TREATY United manager Tommy Barrett cut a positive figure after his side’s opening day league win against Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers at Markets Field last Friday evening, but admitted tougher challenges lie ahead.

Speaking after his side's 3-1 victory, Barrett said he was delighted with a near-perfect start to the season.

Despite controlling the game for the opening half, after which Treaty held a 1-0 lead, Cobh equalised early in the second half before two Thomas Considine goals secured the three points for the Limerick side. 

“I’m delighted,” said Barrett. “With the goal we conceded, I was a bit worried. We got to put teams away a bit quicker than that.

“There are harder challenges ahead. Cobh were probably not at the races. They are probably a bit undercooked. They missed out on their friendly last week and that didn’t stand to him. We had a good game against Waterford, and I think that stood to us.”

Barrett says he was impressed by Thomas Considine, especially his first goal which saw Treaty go back in front just shy of the hour mark.

And the Treaty manager admitted that if it wasn’t for injuries and players missing for various reasons, the former Wexford winger may have been eased into proceedings and not even be involved from the start. 

“Great finish,” said Barrett. “Thomas has been out for 14 months. He hasn’t played. It is helping him that he is going to Carlow [University] and he is training every day.

“He was struggling with a bad groin injury, but we know how good he is. And he’s a great lad. He is travelling down that road on his own every week and he’s been top class since he’s come in.

“Obviously, you’ve to be minding him, but with us down six players he was definitely going to start, and it’s great for him.”