Tommy Barrett and Treaty United anticipating stern Derry City test in FAI Cup

Treaty United will be shifting their focus to cup matters on tonight when they welcome Derry City to the Markets Field in the second round of the 2025 Sports Direct FAI Cup.

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Treaty are enjoying a positive season in the league this season with the Shannonsiders’ sitting fourth in the First Division table, well in the mix for a promotion play-off position come the end of the season.

The Limerick-based side's four-match winless streak in the league came to an end on Friday with their 2-1 victory over Cobh Ramblers in what was a Munster Derby.

Mark Bryne's late srike gave Treaty a much-needed win over second-place Cobh. However, they will have to put league matters to one side tonight when Premier Division Derry City make the journey to Limerick.

Derry are also enjoying a positive season in the Premier Division, currently sitting third, nine points off Shamrock Rovers in top spot.

Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett is looking forward to the tie and is expecting a stern test from their Derry opponents.

“We're looking forward to it definitely, it will be good to get a bit of a crowd there and it's always good to get the lads playing against Premier Division opposition because we know how good Derry City are,” Barrett said.

“Unfortunately, Derry lost last weekend so we can be expecting a bit more of a backlash off of them. They are going to be really at it and they won't want to be coming down here and not getting a result, they are going to want to win, even more so now after they lost last weekend."

“It's important now that we're at it and that we put up a very good defensive performance for us to get something out of the game,” he added.

Barrett and his charges are looking forward to welcoming a Premier Division side to Garryowen.

“We've done well in the past against Premier Division sides,” he pointed out.

“Derry only beat us 2-1 in the semi-final of the cup three years ago and that was up at their place. They have improved since then but so have we as well, but look they're firing on all cylinders in the league,” he said.

“They're in great form and it's going to be a good occasion and it will be really good for the players who are going up against a team like Derry, who are a full-time team with plenty of backing, with even a few international players so it's great for our lads to pit themselves against opposition like that."

"We won't go down without a fight anyway that's for sure,” Barrett added.

Barrett has commended the work-rate and dedication that his side has shown throughout the season. The Limerick native is expecting those same attributes to come to the fore on Friday night.

"You have to be at it in every game, football is a grind no matter what. League matches are a serious grind, 36 matches is a long, hard season. Most games go into 100 minutes. It's tough going for the lads, it takes a lot of dedication to stick at it and that's what they're doing and that's what they've done," he said.

"The players put in a huge effort every week and it won't be any different this week. The only difference is we've nothing to lose but we've nothing to lose in most matches we play, we're probably underdogs in the majority of matches we play and in this one we're certainly underdogs. we're going to come up with a game plan and give it a go, that's all we can do," he remarked.

Barrett, who has been Treaty United manager since 2021, admits it would be ‘fantastic’ if his side were to pull off an upset on tonight. 

“It would be great, it would be fantastic, but it's only the second round of the Cup. Ultimately it would be a great scalp. Our focus would primarily be the league but there's no doubt that we will be putting out our best team to get a result and try to beat Derry and it would be unbelievable if we did as it's always nice to get into the next round."

“Ideally, you would always prefer not to get a Premier Division team so early on in the competition. With all due respect, you probably want a non-league team but that can be a bad thing too as we almost got knocked out by a non-league team, so it's always tough no matter what the opposition, so we just have to make sure that we are on it,” Barrett concluded