Tommy Barrett looks ahead to League of Ireland First Division opener with Cork City

TREATY United kick-start their 2026 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division campaign on Friday night with a trip to Turners Cross to face Cork City, who were relegated from the Premier Division last season.

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Treaty will be hoping to build on what was a positive finish to their 2025 season, which culminated in a First Division Play-Off final defeat to Bray Wanderers in Athlone, a Justin Ferizaj acrobatic effort earning 'The Seagulls' a 1-0 win.

Treaty had been on a fine run of form in the lead-up to the final and manager Tommy Barrett says pre-season preparations have gone very well for his side since the turn of the year.

"We've a great block of work done, we've played a number of friendlies against top quality opposition as well as a Munster Senior Cup game, so we've gotten plenty of lads plenty of minutes.

"We're happy with the work we've put in, we have a few injuries at the moment but you expect that, overall we're happy with how we've prepared.

"We've played the likes of Shamrock Rovers, St Patrick's Athletic and Galway United from the Premier Division and you always want to play against higher level opposition and we'd a couple of other games where we played the likes of Kerry FC so we're happy with the level of opposition we've faced.”

Barrett says spirits are high in the camp as the new season fast approaches.

"It's a really healthy, young squad in terms of energy and we do have a bit of experience in there as well and I'm happy with the group. The new lads have settled in really well which is always good.”

Treaty begin the season with a trip to Munster neighbours Cork City with Barrett and company acutely aware of the challenge that lies before them on Friday.

"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,” Barrett said.

"It's going to be a difficult one for us, any result would be a positive result down there and if we can get a result, then happy days, if we don't, hopefully the performance will be something to build on as we'll look to get points on the board as quickly as we can.

"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.

"Hopefully we'll hit the ground running and we'll give it a good go again this year,” the Treaty United manager said.

The First Division action will continue to come thick and fast for the 'Super Blues' after Friday night's opening round Munster derby clash with Cork on Leeside.

The Shannonsiders will host Bray Wanderers in the second week of the season at the Markets Field, with revenge perhaps on Treaty minds as they welcome a Bray side who ended the Garryowen-based side's promotion push last year.

Treaty will then finish February back on the road when they travel to the capital to face a UCD side who impressed in the second half of last season, finishing just above Treaty last season in fourth position.

The Shannonsiders clash with Cork City kick-offs at 7.45pm in Turners Cross on Friday and the tie will be broadcast live on LOITV.