Treaty United cruise past Pike Rovers to reach FAI Cup quarter-finals

TREATY United defeated Limerick District League side Pike Rovers 7-0 in the last 16 of the Sports Direct FAI Cup in front of an official attendance of 1,838 at the Markets Field on Friday night. 

SSE Airtricity League First Division side Treaty were comfortable in every department. It has been a Cup great campaign for local junior side Pike Rovers, but their FAI Cup journey came to an abrupt end at the Garryowen venue. 

Lee Devitt impressed scoring three goals in the comfortable win for Tommy Barrett's Treaty United charges. 

The victors will now look forward to the Sports Direct FAI Cup quarter-final draw which takes place next week. 

Just 2.7km separates the two clubs home grounds and many people were hoping for an intense clash between the Limerick rivals. 

Treaty United stamped their authority on the Cup tie right from kick-off, showing why they are playing a level above Pike. 

The fixture was the first all-Limerick clash in the FAI Cup since 1987 when Newcastle West AFC (then in the League of Ireland) hosted Limerick City in the Demense (or as it was called at the time, Ballygowan Park).

Treaty United were relieved to advance to the last 16 stage of this season's FAI Cup after defeating Leinster Senior League side Kilbarrack United 4-1 on penalties with teenage goalkeeper Michael Dike saving two of the spot kicks in their penalty shoot-out win.

Pike Rovers, who are at the start of the Limerick District League season, had been comprehensive 3-1 winners at home to Midleton FC to book their place in the last 16 stage of the Sports Direct FAI Cup at Pike Rovers Sportsgound last month.

Treaty United started like a house on fire in Friday night's last 16 derby clash. After some good work by Enda Curran close to goal it looked as if a penalty was about to be awarded for a handball by one of the Pike Rovers defenders.

Midfielder Lee Devitt got on the end of a loose ball inside the box and he hit the net after one minute. 

Three minutes later, referee Paul Norton signalled a Treaty United penalty for a foul on Enda Curran. The striker made no mistake from the penalty spot to put Treaty United 2-0 up and score his 100th League of Ireland goal. 

Pike Rovers came into this clash as outsiders but their start to this game made things very difficult. Treaty United were already showing their experience from playing in the League of Ireland.

The Limerick and District League side were struggling to get out of their own half. Treaty were in complete control and dictated the play in the middle third.

On 34 minutes, Treaty United attacker Curran limped off the pitch with an injury. It didn't seem to effect the victors, a spectacular ball was played into Lee Devitt and he coolly slotted the ball into the Pike Rovers net. 

Four minutes before the break, Trpimir Vrljcak used all his physicality to head the ball to the back of the net and put Tommy Barrett's 4-0 up. Vrljcak made his debut for Treaty United on Friday night. 

The home side led 4-0 at the break. 

On 47 minutes, Treaty United didn't show any sign of taking their foot off the gas when hat-trick hero Lee Devitt scored his third goal of the night. 

Croatia native Vrljicak extended Treaty United's lead to six goals on 52 minutes. 

On 77 minutes, Alec Byrne set up Robbie Lynch for a goal and Lynch vollied on the ball and the Treaty United's defenders shot went straight into the top corner. 

Treaty's victory never look in doubt at any stage.

Treaty United will look to go one step further than last year and reach the last four of the FAI Cup, while the Hoops will resume action in the Limerick and District league.

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers, Robbie Lynch, Ben O'Riordan (Captain) (Christopher Horgan, half-time), Evan O'Connor, Jack Kavanagh, Steven Healy (Alec Byrne, half-time), Lee Devitt, Thomas Considine, Liam Lynch (David Tarmey, half-time), Enda Curran (Trpimir Vrljicak, 34 minutes, injured), Fionn Doherty (Colin Conroy, half-time).

PIKE ROVERS: Marius Palen (Daniel Doyle, 60 minutes, injured), Scott Kirwan (Ethan Joyce, 60 minutes), Sean Madigan, Edward O'Donovan, Mikey Morrissey, Eoin Hanrahan (Captain) (Aaron Cusack, 60 minutes), Colin Daly, Shane Walsh, Dylan Kelly Higgins (Jake Prendergast, 74 minutes), Dylan Murphy (Jamie Mitchell, 74 minutes), Eoin Duffy. 

REFEREE: Paul Norton.