Matchday 5 Preview – Treaty United -v- Cork City

It’s the Munster derby at what is likely to be a packed Markets Field as Treaty welcome table-topping Cork City FC to the Markets Field.

Match Details:

Teams  Treaty United Vs Cork City FC

Competition  SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division

Date Friday, March 22.

Venue    Markets Field, Garryowen, Limerick

Tickets  https://treatyunitedfc.com/tickets/

Referee  Oliver Moran

Live Coverage:

The game will be streamed live on LOITV at the below link. Individual match passes can be purchased for €5 or viewers can purchase a season pass which will give them access to all games across the League of Ireland.

https://www.loitv.ie/en-int/livestream/treaty-united-v-cork-city/1721570

Treaty United

Treaty were idle last weekend as a Saturday night trip to Longford was called off after the pitch failed an inspection. Tommy Barrett looks to have a near full strength squad with the exception of midfielder Colin Conroy.

Following three wins from three games, Treaty might be forgiven for letting a two-goal lead slip at home to Bray Wanderers at the Markets Field in their last game with 10 points from four games proving a very respectable return compared to last season.

While it was indeed a frustrating night on the pitch, there was little sign of disappointment among the departing crowd of over 2,100 as they left the ground content enough with Tommy Barrett’s side’s start to the season.

Treaty’s fastest ever goal in a competitive game came from a Mark Walsh header in the second minute. When Thomas Considine doubled the lead on 40 minutes it may have appeared that the Limerick side were cruising. However, in truth, Bray Wanderers were proving stubborn opponents and they began to dominate proceedings in the second half. The Seagulls got their reward through a debatable penalty converted by Shane Griffin on 72 minutes. Ten minutes later Shane Griffin equalised.

But for an injury time Corey Chambers save they may have left Limerick with all three points. All in all, a good point for Treaty that may prove a vital one later in the season.

Cork City FC

Many people expected Cork City to be the big hitters in this season’s First Division and while it took four games, they have indeed reached the summit and would be a good bet to remain there for the rest of the season.

The signing of Jack Doherty from Cobh Ramblers has proved really good business for the Leesiders. 

New manager Tim Clancy has overseen some impressive, if not spectacular performances, built on a solid defence which has been quite mean so far with just one goal conceded in five games.

Seventeen-year-old Cathal O’Sullivan has caught the eye for Cork, scoring in last week’s 2-0 win over Bray.

City signed well over the summer to bolster their squad, blending youth with experience – defensive midfielder Greg Bolger returning to Cork from Sligo Rovers a notable addition. 

Past Meetings

Treaty went unbeaten in their first season in senior football against their Munster rivals.

A 2-1 win for the Limerick club was followed by a 3-2 victory at Turners Cross in the 2021 season. A 0-0 draw closed out the season’s meetings at the Markets Field.

The following season, City exacted clinical revenge, blitzing Treaty with a 4-0 win at the Markets Field. 

Another 3-0 defeat followed at Turners Cross.

The return fixture at the Markets Field was even worse with City running out 5-0 winners on an afternoon that Treaty fans would like to forget.

However, with City riding high at the top end of the table in the 2022 season, Treaty turned up at Turners Cross and left with a surprise 2-0 victory courtesy of goals from Ben O’Riordan, a thunderbolt, and a Marc Ludden penalty. A famous victory. 

Treaty made City work hard for passage into the second round of the FAI cup last season, the Leeside club eventually running out 2-0 winners with goals from Cian Coleman and Tunde Olowabi.