Treaty United finish 2026 season on a high with home win over Cobh

THE TREATY United chapter of men’s soccer in Limerick came to an end in style with a 2-0 win over Cobh Ramblers at the Markets Field.

A crowd of 1,027 saw the home side score a second half double from Dare Kareem and Jason Folarin Oyenuga finishing what was a poor season on a high for the club that will revert to the Limerick FC name in 2027.

It was a cagey first half, with few chances between the sides as both teams cancelled each other out. The first shot on goal came from a powerful run by Jordan Adeyemi in the twenty-fourth minute, who squared the ball to Kai O’Neill.

However, the 18-year-old failed to get the necessary purchase on his strike, allowing Jack Brady to make a comfortable save.

On the half-hour mark, Callum Honohan picked up possession on the edge of the Treaty box following a recycled corner and let fly, but Brady was once again alert to the danger, getting down low to smother the ball.

Treaty’s first real chance arrived just before the interval when Mark Byrne cut inside on a swift breakaway driven by Dare Kareem. Byrne opened up his body and flashed a left-footed effort narrowly wide.

Right on the stroke of half-time, a corner fell to Darren Nwankwo in the Cobh box before the ball was eventually rolled back to the onrushing Robbie Lynch.

He drilled a shot towards the bottom corner that looked destined for the net, but Timo Martin showed superb reflexes to get down low and pull off a stunning save, ensuring the sides went in at the break deadlocked.

Cobh pushed for the opener shortly after the restart and came close, only for a sublime block from Darren Nwankwo to keep the game scoreless.

Luka Le Bervet looked to have the goal at his mercy with Brady off his line, but Nwankwo stood his ground to make a vital interception on the line.

Treaty had an effort of their own cleared off the line soon afterwards when Dare Kareem saw his attempt blocked by Shane Griffin.

Martin’s short clearance had landed straight at Kareem’s feet, and the Treaty forward tried to capitalise, but the deadlock remained unbroken.

He would not have to wait much longer, however, as the Shannonsiders took the lead in the sixty-seventh minute. Byrne and Kareem combined to allow the former to drill a low cross towards the six-yard box.

Kareem got on the end of it, and although he scuffed his shot, the ball trickled over the line to give Treaty the breakthrough.

Cobh looked to respond moments later with Rhys Gourdie forcing a remarkable double save from Jack Brady.

At the other end, Ben Feeney, Kareem and Ronan Manning all went close as Treaty threatened to extend their advantage.

As Cobh pushed forward in search of a goal to salvage their fading play-off hopes, the Shannonsiders struck the decisive blow.

In the eighty-ninth minute, Jason Folarin Oyenuga latched onto a ball over the top, with the visitors having committed men forward.

He burst through on goal and clinically dispatched the ball into the net to seal a memorable victory.

Deep into stoppage time, Brendan Frahill received his marching orders for a frustrated tackle on Colm Whelan, as Treaty held on to bring the 2026 campaign to a close on a high.

Treaty United: Jack Brady; Richkov Boevi, Mark Walsh (Billy Regan, 61 mins), Robbie Lynch, Darren Nwankwo, Matt Jones (Colm Whelan, 74 mins); Colin Conroy, Ben Feeney (Jason Folarin Oyenuga, 74 mins), Ronan Manning; Mark Byrne (Brian Cunningham, 83 mins), Dare Kareem (Roy Lawlor, 83 mins).

Cobh Ramblers: Timo Martin; Callum Honohan, Brian Linehan (Dara McCormack, 77 mins), Brendan Frahill, Luka Le Brevet; Rhys Gourdie, Oran Crowe (Cian Coleman, 77 mins), Shane Griffin; Kai O’Neill (Dylan McGlade, 62 mins), Anthony Adenopo (Mikey Carroll, 77 mins), Jordan Adeyemi (Rhys Kelly-Noonan, 60 mins).

Referee: Daryl Carolan.