'It's great for the players and everyone involved' - Tommy Barrett looks ahead to crucial Bray promotion play-off clash

TREATY UNITED are gearing up for the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division play-off final in what is the biggest game in the club's five-year existence.

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

The Shannonsiders secured themselves a spot in this year's decider after a a 2-1 aggregate win over Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers. 

A 76th minute Joe Hanson header gave Treaty a 1-0 advantage heading into Tuesday night's second leg.

The Limerick side looked set to be heading to the play-off final in normal time but a 94th minute Matthew Whelan strike scuppered these hopes and sent the match to extra-time. 

Centre-back Eoin Martin was the unlikely hero for the Shannonsiders, his foray up the pitch led the 23-year-old into the Cobh box, latching onto the end of Ben Lee's cross and finishing expertly to the back of the net. 

Martin's strike ensured Treaty a safe passage into this season's decider, where they will face a Bray Wanderers side who comfortably dispatched of UCD over two legs. 

Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett is looking forward to what is a massive tie.

"For sure we'll go up there and give it our all. Ideally we would've liked it to be a grass pitch instead of an astro but we got good preparation playing Cobh on the astro in St Colman's Park recently and we also have played in Athlone a number of times. 

"It won't be an excuse and we won't use it as an excuse, both teams have to play on it. We're going to have to go up and we're going to give it a go," he said. 

It has been an evenly matched season between Treaty United and their Wicklow counterparts.

Treaty have won the two league matches played at the Markets Field whilst Bray have won the reverse fixtures at the Carlisle Grounds, Barrett is expecting an evenly matched tie in Athlone on Sunday. 

"We won our two home games against them this season and they beat us twice at the Carlisle Grounds so it's two a piece and it'll be decided on who can win it at the neutral venue.

"We're really looking forward to it, we've nothing to lose. We're going out with a game plan to win the game and hopefully we can extend the season by another week.

"Bray are in great form themselves so it'll be very close and it'll be a tough game but as I said, we're going to go up and it won't be for the want of trying. There's a great group of lads there who represent themselves very well on and of the pitch and that's all we can ask for," he 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."

Kick-off at the Athlone Town Stadium is at 3pm on Sunday and the match will be broadcast live on LOITV.