Treaty United reach mid-season break

The Shannonsiders sit at the foot of the First Division table after 18 rounds of action, having accumulated 15 points.

Treaty sit are just one point behind Munster neighbours Kerry FC in ninth position.

The Super Blues had the chance to leap-frog their provincial rivals before the break, as Tommy Barrett’s charges travelled to Bishopsgate to face Longford Town.

Treaty were beaten 3-1 by the Midlanders, a result that condemns Tommy Barrett’s side to a third consecutive defeat and leaves the Shannonsiders 10-points adrift of the final playoff position heading into the mid-season break.

The hosts made the perfect start and took the lead after just seven minutes in bizarre circumstances.

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Former Longford goalkeeper Jack Brady carried the ball out of his area before completely miscueing his clearance straight to Alex O’Brien.

The midfielder needed no second invitation, lofting a superb effort from almost forty yards over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net for his second goal of the season.

Longford’s persistence was rewarded in the 66th minute. Substitute Pharrell Manuel made an immediate impact after coming off the bench, delivering a perfectly weighted pass for Dean Williams, who calmly finished beyond Brady to double the hosts’ advantage.

There was still time for late drama. Ben Feeney reduced the deficit in the closing stages, firing emphatically into the top corner after being played through by Byrne to give Treaty a glimmer of hope but with the visitors committing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, Longford struck immediately from the restart.

Francis Campbell got on the end of a long clearance and clinically finished to restore the two-goal cushion and seal all three points for the hosts.

Treaty can take the positives from their last three outings. Although the Garryowen-based side took no points from games against Cobh Ramblers, Cork City and most recently Longford Town, there were elements of the three performances that Barrett and co. will be pleased with and will look to build on when First Division against re-commences.

Meanwhile, the Treaty United Women’s side recorded an impressive 3-1 win in their All-Island Cup outing against Athlone Town on Saturday.

It was a professional showing from Laurie Ryan’s side who in the process of their 3-1 triumph, eliminated one of the pre-tournament favourites, Athlone Town, in the process.

First-half goals from Emma Goggin and Kyah Coady had the home side in control of the group at the break.

Madie Gibson’s thunderous strike had given some brief hope but skipper Katie Lawlee’s exquisite volley ensured a safe passage for the Limerick side.

It is a win that earns Treaty a place in the quarter-finals of this season’s All-Island Cup where they will face familiar foes in Bohemians on Saturday, June 13 at the Markets Field.

‘Bohs’ were beaten by Wexford FC in last year’s All-Island Cup via a penalty shoot-out.

Should Laurie Ryan’s side progress, they will face the winners of Shelbourne and Cliftonville in the final four.