Treaty United seek back-to-back wins in First Division with trip to UCD

TREATY United will look to build on their excellent start to the new SSE Airtricity League First Division tonight Friday, 7.45pm, when travelling to Befield to take on UCD.

Tommy Barrett's Treaty United side made an impressive start to the new season when recording a 3-1 victory over Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers at the Markets Field last Friday. The game attracted almost 2,000 paying customers.

Leading 1-0 at half-time after Cobh Ramblers defender Brendan Frahill put a Robbie Lynch long throw into his own net, 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 wore their new blue jerseys at home for the first time in the fixture.

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.

Manager Tommy Barrett was very pleased with his side's display against Cobh, but pointed out that stiffer tests lie ahead in their league programme.

“I’m delighted,” Barrett told Leader Sport.

“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 them. We had a good game against Waterford, and I think that stood to us.”

Barrett said he was pleased with the impact Thomas Considine made in the opening round game when he bagged a brace of goals.

“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.”

Treaty United opponents this Friday, UCD, opened their First Division campaign with a 2-1 victory over Bray Wanderers.

Athlone Town, First Division newcomers Cork City and Finn Harps also recorded wins on the opening night of the new season. Following their trip to Belfield, Treaty travel to Tralee to take on Kerry FC on Friday, March 1, 7.45pm.