WATCH: Five-star Treaty United score resounding win over Athlone Town in First Division

FIVE-STAR Treaty United recorded a resounding 5-0 victory on the road against promotion-chasing Athlone Town in their SSE Airtricity League First Division fixture at Athlone Town Stadium  on Friday evening.

Tommy Barrett’s Treaty men made no mistake on Friday evening, having learnt the harsh lessons from last week’s agonising 3-2 opening night loss to Cobh Ramblers after having led 2-0 with minutes remaining.

The Shannonsiders thoroughly dominated affairs in the Midlands despite Athlone being fancied as one of the favourites to lead the battle for promotion this season.

The hosts controlled the opening exchanges, forcing three early corners within the first two minutes, with a fifth-minute Kailin free kick rising narrowly over the Treaty crossbar.

Treaty United took the lead in the ninth minute with their first attack. Former Sligo Rovers winger Karl O’Sullivan picked up the ball at the edge of the Athlone box before unleashing a low shot goalward.

Lee Devitt completes his hat-trick!

Treaty United lead Athlone Town 4-0 in the Midlands. pic.twitter.com/KbHwFCCro3

— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 21, 2025

Captain Lee Devitt got a flick on the ball from close range and redirected it past the helpless Matthew Connor.

Eight minutes later, West Limerick native O’Sullivan and Devitt linked up again to double the visitors' lead in astonishing fashion. O’Sullivan weaved his way through the Athlone defence with ease before laying off Devitt, who whipped the ball in to the top corner with an unstoppable effort.

Athlone tried to respond with Ben Feeney going close moments later. In the 35th minute, a mix-up in the Treaty defence saw Barlow force a top-drawer save from Chambers before Cole Omorehiomwan flashed his header inches wide.

Treaty then effectively put the game to bed on the stroke of half time as Ben Lynch powered his way into the Athlone box before dispatching his shot into the roof of the net. However, he seemed to pick up an ankle injury in the process.

Treaty lead in Athlone!

Lee Devitt puts the visitors in front. pic.twitter.com/oPGWP3hgE1

— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) February 21, 2025

Visitors Treaty came close to adding a fourth goal ten minutes after the restart as Yoyo Mahdy found himself in space inside the box, but the attacker skied his effort over the crossbar.

Feeney then almost grabbed one back for the Midlanders moments later, but he saw his shot from range force another good save from Chambers.

In the 72nd minute, JR Wilson should have reduced the deficit for Athlone as he found himself unmarked in the Treaty box. However, his scissor kick from close range forced a fingertip save from Chambers.

In the 81st minute, Lee Devitt completed his hat trick as he picked up the ball inside the Athlone box before drilling a low effort into the net.

Seven minutes later, substitute Marc Byrne grabbed Treaty’s fifth. Croatian forward Trpimir Vrljicak and Canadian attacker Ben Lee combined to carve open the Athlone defence before Byrne coolly slotted the ball to the back of the net to wrap up an impressive win for Tommy Barrett’s men.

Treaty will return to home soil next week as they look to build on their win in the Midlands when they take on Finn Harps next Friday at the Markets Field, 7.45pm.

Athlone Town: Matthew Connor, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly, Dean Williams, Cole Omorehiomwan (Gideon Tetteh 45), Noe Baba (Kyle O’Connor 45), Ben Feeney (Agbo Babatunde 75), John Ross Wilson, Kailin Barlow (Kyle Robinson 45), Brian Torre (Billy Gilmore 45).
 
Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Richkov Boevi, Ben Lynch (Robbie Lynch 45), Lee Devitt (Ben Lee 86), Colin Conroy, Yoyo Mahdy (Vojtech Ptacek 86), Joe Hanson (Trpimir Vrljicak 65), Connor Wilson, Evan O’Connor, Eoin Martin, Karl O’Sullivan (Marc Byrne 65).

Referee: Rob Dowling.