'This is what it's all about' - Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett reacts to historic play-off berth

TREATY UNITED are through to the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division play-off final after seeing off Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers over two legs. 

READ MORE: Resilient Treaty United come through extra-time drama to reach First Division promotion play-off final

Eoin Martin was the hero for the Shannonsiders in St Colman's Park. His extra-time goal was enough to secure Treaty a 1-1 draw on the night, which gave the Garryowen-based side a 2-1 aggregate win. 

Tommy Barrett's charges were fully deserving of their place in this year's play off final. Joe Hanson's solitary strike in the first leg at the Markets Field set the Limerick side on their way to Cobh knowing a draw would be enough to secure them a safe passage to this year's final. 

Treaty did manage to secure the draw on the night but it was a game they could've won according to manager Tommy Barrett. 

"I thought overall we deserved to win over the two legs, we were disappointed with the draw last night really because I felt we deserved to win the game.

"The lads showed great character after going a goal down in injury time and we actually could've scored ourselves a minute or two later through Mark Byrne. 

"We got into extra-time and didn't panic. We got the goal that we deserved so we're happy," he said. 

The nature in which his side went about last night's result pleased Barrett, stating that his young team coped well with the pressure that comes against playing such an experienced side in a crucial tie. 

"They had a spell of maybe 20 or 25 minutes where they got on the ball. They had that period at the Market's Field as well, they're going to get that, they're a top side so you have to hang in there.

"You don't win these legs easily, you're going to get a bit of pressure but to be honest I didn't think that they looked like scoring much. Even the goal they got was a half a chance really put it was finished really well by Matthew Whelan.

"That will tell you the calibre of player they're bringing off the bench. The likes of Whelan, the likes of (Sam) Bellis, (Rhys) Gourdie coming in as well so it was nice to get the win against such an experienced side. 

"Especially when you factor in who we are bringing off the bench. We brough two teenagers and a 21-year-old off the bench as well as having a relatively young team out with the likes of Richkov (Boevi) and Eoin (Martin) at centre-back so we're delighted to get it over the line," he said. 

The reaction from his players to going 1-0 down on the night was something that pleased the Treaty United manager. 

"It absolutely is very pleasing, the lads stayed calm and we definitely deserved to equalise in extra-time, if not win the game.

"We were the team pushing and looking to create chances in extra-time as well. 

"Corey (Chambers) pulled off a great stop at one stage but that was it really, I thought we were fairly comfortable," he said. 

Barrett says that he was not completely surprised to see his centre-back Eoin Martin gallop up the field and get on the end of the attack that led to Treaty's equaliser.

"He's done that before. He scored a late equaliser against Dundalk earlier in the season as well so we know he has that in his locker and that he's comfortable on the ball. 

"You have to pick your moments as a player and he did, you don't practice those things but we would always tell the lads that if opportunities arise, then you have to go for them and Eoin did that," he said.

The Shannonsiders are currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten run and in that time they have been defensively resolute against top opposition. 

Wins against Bray, Wexford and Cobh followed by last night's draw has seen Treaty concede two goals in that time. That defensive structure is something that is crucial to any side, as Barrett explains. 

"It's so important. Teams that go on to win leagues or do well in leagues have the best defence, it's not about the best attack, it's oftentimes about the best defence and that's something we've been trying to drill home all year.

"In terms of lads doing their jobs, working as a unit and working as a team and the last few weeks it looks to have come together

"At the same time we got into the play-offs in the first place so we must've been doing something right all year but we look much more solid the last few weeks. 

"Whilst the team is relatively young, we have a great mix of experience as well with the likes of Karl O'Sullivan, Lee J Lynch and Mark Byrne and it was vital that we got them all back at the right time too. 

"That has enabled us to push Lee (Devitt) back with Colin (Conroy) and they've been doing their job in front of the back four, they're hard to get by because they're physical players, they protect the back four very well and all in all we're just doing the basics right as a unit, playing effective football," Barrett said. 

The Treaty United manager says reaching this year's play-off final is just reward for a group of players that have worked incredibly hard to be where they are. 

"It's great, it's great for the players and it's great for everyone involved. The players have put in the hard work, training four days a week at 7.30 in the mornings back in January and February and this is what it's all about.

"You get out of it what you put in and we've come into form at the right time and hopefully we can continue that form on Sunday."