Academy Report 1-2 March
Another busy international week for some of our academy players. Well done to Madison McGuane, Ellen Goggin & Annabel Mulcaire Quille who were involved last week with the Irish GU16’s in 3-1 and 4-1 wins over Switzerland. Madison and Annabel both got on the scoresheet in the second game.
5 of our 6 Treaty United Carelon Academy teams were in EA Sports League of Ireland Academy league action this weekend. The MU15s and WU19s were playing their first league games while the MU14s, WU17s and MU17s were had the second outing of their respective Group campaigns.
MU15
After last week’s postponed game in Longford, our MU15s got their 2025 League of Ireland season underway when they hosted Mayo FC in the Manor Fields and they were the first academy team in action over the weekend.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Daniel O’Connell, Wisdom Amaeze, Jordan Brown, Kaylum Matha, Mighty Odudu, Evan Hogan, Cathal Donnelly, Conor Campbell, Mark Regan, Ben Doumbouya (C), Gavin Scanlan
Subs:
Alex Clancy, Conor Kennedy, Danny Hammond, James Palache, Alex Meaney, Conor Brady, Mieszko Kurylonski, Paddy Gubbins
Our MU15s opened their league campaign with an impressive victory over Mayo FC. The match saw six debuts at this level, along with key positional changes for Mighty Odudu and Jordan Brown. Brown, previously a centre-back, transitioned into midfield, while Odudu, formerly a striker, moved into central defence.
From the opening whistle, Treaty controlled the game, with midfield trio Cathal Donnelly, Wisdom Amaeze, and Jordan Brown dictating the tempo. Wingers Ben Doumboya and Kaylum Matha were a constant threat, using their pace and dribbling to create openings and had early shots that signalled danger.
Marauding full back Conor Campbell found himself one-on-one following some slick interplay with Brown on the edge of the box, but he couldn’t convert. Midway through the first half, striker Mark Regan forced the Mayo goalkeeper into a fantastic save from the edge of the box after a well-worked attack. Brown also came close with a free header from a corner, while Matha was unfortunate to see a penalty appeal waved away. A deflected pass from debutant Cathal Donnelly found Conor Brady, whose drive down the left and cross located Matha in the box, but the chance went abegging.
At the back, Odudu and debutant Gavin Scanlan looked solid and composed, impressively handling their first competitive outing together at this level. Despite Treaty dominating the game, the game was scoreless at the break.
As expected, the second half brought changes, with Conor Kennedy and Alex Meaney having an immediate impact. Treaty began combining more in possession, with midfield control shifting to Paddy Gubbins, James Palache, and Mieszko Kurylonski, who dictated the rhythm of play.
The breakthrough finally arrived when Brady, now playing as a striker, linked up with Kennedy on the right. Kennedy embarked on a trademark mazy dribble before finding Brady at the edge of the box. Brady’s shot was deflected, but Alex Meaney was in the right place at the right time to head the ball back across goal and into the net.
Minutes later, Treaty’s high press paid off again. Gubbins won possession in midfield and drove at the heart of Mayo’s defence. As defenders closed in, he slipped a perfectly timed ball to Meaney, who beat his man inside and fired a clinical finish into the bottom left corner.
Treaty continued to dominate, playing some of their best football of the match. One particularly impressive move saw debutant right-back Danny Hammond combine with Gubbins, Kurylonski, Brady, and Kennedy in a flowing sequence, only for a last-ditch interception to prevent Meaney from sealing a hat-trick.
The third and final goal epitomized Treaty’s aggressive pressing. Left-back Conor Campbell won possession high up the pitch and found Brady, who surged towards goal before cutting the ball back for Kennedy. The forward showed composure to beat his man and finish through the keeper’s legs, sealing a comfortable victory.
Man of the Match was Mighty Odudu who gavea commanding performance at centre-back, Odudu defended with composure and authority while also playing key progressive passes to help Treaty control possession. A mature and assured display.
A fantastic start to the season for the MU15s, who will take plenty of confidence from this dominant performance as they prepare for their next fixture, away to Sligo Rovers in The Showgrounds next Saturday.
WU17
Next up were our WU17s who continued their 2025 league campaign with a home game versus Cork City and despite an excellent and resilient performance, they fell to an injury time winner to lose this Munster derby 2-1.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Ruby Linnane, Ellen Hackett, Jennifer Hogan, Kate Lee, Alex Sheehy, Orlaith O’Connell, Rachel O’Shea, Kristina Bokmane (C), Aoife Frawley, Mioda O’Shea, Eleanor Blake
Subs:
Caila Neligan, Aoibhe O’Leary, Eibhlin Butler, Mylie Treacy, Mya Lee, Ewelina Stankevituite
Our WU17s suffered a heartbreaking loss to Munster rivals Cork City on Saturday when they conceded what turned out to be the winning goal from Cork, deep into injury time at the end of the game to lose 2-1.
In an end to end game with both sides determined to get the ball down and play football, the large crowd in attendance got a real treat as there were chances a plenty, penalty kicks, crossbars hit, bookings, great saves and some huge individual performances on show.
Cork were extremely strong across the field and looked to impose themselves from the kickoff with the Treaty midfield led by captain Kristina Bokmane along with the strong Orlaith O’Connell and Mioda O’Shea needing to be aggressive and alert immediately (and throughout). Behind Kristina the centre half pairing of Kate Lee and Jennifer Hogan along with full backs Ellen Hackett and Alex Sheehy were regularly challenged both with darting runs from the Cork forward line or in the air with long balls that looked to get in behind our defensive line. The girls were up for the challenge though along with goalkeeper Ruby Linnane but unfortunately Cork’s attack paid off midway through the 1st half when they were awarded a penalty after what seemed to be a clean challenge from Kate Lee, which the Cork player, A. Cronin, placed into the bottom corner to give them the lead. Treaty reacted though and pushed hard for an equaliser and were unfortunate not to score before the break from some good work from striker Aoife Frawley and wing play from Eleanor Blake and Rachel O’Shea.
Treaty made some changes at the break bringing in the talented Mylie Treacy in midfield along with the excellent Caila Neligan at full back. Both girls helped the Treaty side open the Cork defence on a number of occasions but the Cork rearguard and goalkeeper stood firm with some resolute defending. Treaty made further changes as they chased an equaliser and on came Ewelina Stankivicute in attacking midfield along with the pacy winger Mya Lee. It was really end to end at this stage with Ruby forced to make some great close range saves in the Treaty goal along with some last minute defending from Caila and Alex Sheehy at full back. The defensive performance seemed to spur on the Treaty attack and in the 88th minute a long ball from Kate Lee was picked up by Mylie Treacy outside the Cork box and she got the ball under control before rolling it into the bottom corner for a deserved equaliser and what was surely going to result in a share of the spoils for both sides. But credit to Cork who could easily have settled for the draw but they sensed this could be their day and in the 93rd minute they won a corner on the right which was superbly struck by L Callender O’Leary & flew in over Ruby’s reach to the heartbreak of the Treaty girls. They may have been heartbroken but they still came back for one more attempt at goal when Ewelina’s free kick from 35 yards was well saved by the Cork keeper which brought the end of a pulsating game with very little between both sides.
Next up for the girls is another Munster derby when they meet Kerry on Saturday, March 8th in Tralee, where the girls will look to get back to winning ways. Thanks to the injured Emma Jones for continuing to support her team mates and to the parents & large crowd who were very supportive on the day.
Sunday saw three of our academy teams in action.
MU14
Our MU14s followed up last week’s trip to Cobh when they entertained CK United in the Manor Fields.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Seamus Greene, Marco Lopez, Harry Millan, Fionn Kennedy, Hugh Canty, Yanis Mambouna, Gabriel Nseka, Paddy O’Sullivan, Liam McCague, Jack Sheehy, Sean Kelly (C),
Subs:
Emmet O’Donnell, Jude Cullen, Gibby Celebrini, Ciaran Irwin, Conor Browne, Dion Hannon, Jack Bourke, Sean O’Carroll, Adam Rochford
Our MU14s recorded a 1-0 victory in what was a super squad performance. The home supporters were treated to some lovely one and two touch football in the side’s first home game of the season. There was some great pressing and locking the opponent up continuously. This led to Marco Lopez getting the all-important goal in the 60th minute, his second in as many games. Liam McCague, Fionn Kennedy and Marco Lopez were the players of the match.
Next up for the MU14s is a trip to Mayfield next Sunday to take on Cork City.
WU19
Our WU19s kicked off their Group A league campaign when they made the journey to St Coleman’s Park to take on Cobh Ramblers.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Chloe Widger, Megan O’Reilly, Sadbh Griffin, Ella Carey, Ava Neary (C), Emma Meaney, Jayne Ryan, Lily-Anne O’Meara, Suvi O’Connor, Sirena Celebrini, Grace Ehinger
Subs:
Niamh Kinehan, Kate Jones, Abbey Walsh, Molly Lane
Our WU19s opened their league campaign when they took on Cobh Ramblers on Sunday afternoon. Treaty dominated for long periods of the game and will be disappointed not to come away with all three points.
Cobh took the lead in the game after 19 minutes. Treaty equalised 9 minutes before the break when Suvi O’Connor scored direct from a free-kick just outside the Cobh penalty area. The first half ended 1-1.
Treaty controlled the game in the second half, playing a nice brand of possession football but despite creating several chances, they failed to convert them and had to be satisfied with a share of the spoils at the end of the day. There were lots of positives from the game to build on for their first home game, next Sunday, when they host Cork City in The Manor Fields.
MU17
Last into action for the weekend were our MU17s who were looking to build on their opening day win away to Cobh when they hosted CK United in the Manor Fields.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Darragh Van Veen, Joey Nwankwo, Conor O’Mahony, Kian Dempsey, Rory McKeon, Joe Murphy, Mark O’Callaghan, Gavin Ryan (C), Colin Healy, Alex Omoruyi, Nathanael Mthembu
Subs:
James Rochford, Sean Meere, Timmy O’Sullivan, Tadhg McElligott, Christian Stack, Warren O’Mahony, Tony Hourigan, Conor Crofton
Another good result to start the season for the MU17s with 2 wins now from 2. An evenly match first half didn’t offer much to the spectator as both teams had chances but weren’t clinical enough. The second half saw Treaty dominate for large periods with the ball, creating multiple chances and causing the opposition lots of problems.
The first goal came from James Rochford who was just on the pitch 5 mins after coming on as a substitute. The second goal was a fantastic one to see and one in which we worked on during the week in training. Gavin Ryan made a brilliant pass across the pitch onto the feet of attacking full back Conor O’Mahony who delivered a great ball into the box where Colin Healy helped it over the line.
Some strong performances this week from Alex Omoruyi, Gavin Ryan and Kian Dempsey.
Our MU17s continue their league campaign next Sunday when they travel to Bishopstown to take on Cork City.
