Treaty United primed for 2026 League of Ireland First Division season

THE 2026 SSE Airtricty League of Ireland First Division season kicks off next Fridaty night, February 13, Treaty United have been handed the task of travelling to Turners Cross on Friday week where they will face Munster rivals Cork City, who were relegated from the Premier Division at the end of last season.

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The Shannonsiders have enjoyed a busy January, with the pre-season fixtures coming thick and fast for Tommy Barrett's charges as the 'Super Blues' aim to leave no stone unturned as the new season approaches.

To date, Treaty have played Galway United, Kerry FC, Sligo Rovers, Killarney Celtic, Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic in preparation for what is sure to be another demanding First Division season.

Treaty will be hoping to take the positive form they showed at the end of last season into this up-coming campaign. The Garryowen-based club have been busy in this winter's transfer window with incomings and outgoings aplenty.

Manager Tommy Barrett is confident that his side have recruited well ahead of this season's opener against Cork City.

"Players come and go every transfer window and you just have to work with what you have and be confident that the lads you're bringing in will be good enough to compete and obviously we have the toughest opening game away to Cork.

"They'll be favourites to win the league and it'll be very tough, but it will be a good opportunity to see where we're at, hopefully we'll hit the ground running and we'll give it a good go again this year," he said.

Treaty United finished last season superbly well, reaching the First Division Promotion Play-Off final against Bray Wanderers in Athlone.

A Justin Ferizaj 90th minute acrobatic effort broke Treaty hearts in that final, in a game that the Limerick-based side could have won on another day.

Barrett's charges had put a fine run of performances together before that final, with key wins against the likes of Wexford FC, Bray Wanderers and Cobh Ramblers.

Barrett will be hopeful his side can re-ignite last season's form but states that every season is different.

"You never know, every season is different. You have to try and get momentum early. Lots of clubs have strengthened.

"We've gone for a tighter squad this year. We signed a lot of players last year. We had 25 players last year, but we will be going for 20 to 22 this year.

"You're always looking to compete against the best and no better team to start the season against than Cork City.

"It won't be easy, but we have a decent record at Turner's Cross and it is a game we are all really looking forward to," the Treaty United manager added.