WITH the announcement of Tommy Barrett’s 26-man Treaty United squad ahead of the upcoming 2021 Airtricity League First Division season, we take a look at the key signings that the former Limerick FC man managed to seal and deliver.
Treaty returned to training this week and held a trial night last Tuesday where the management team got a chance to look at possible signings from a variety of counties and levels.
From that 35 players, the official squad was narrowed down to 26 which you can see by clicking this link. Treaty United Squad Announced Ahead of New Season – Sporting Limerick
Tadgh Ryan: Sorting out a goalkeeper quickly was a bonus. Both Ryan and Shane Cusack of Newmarket agreed to sign at an early stage and it was the only position which provided a bit of certainty for Barrett in a manic week.
At Airtricity League level, the jury is still out on the County Limerick native but the move to his hometown club will provide the former Huddersfield Town man with a big opportunity to regain form.
Since returning from England, Ryan has played with Waterford, Cork and Galway but has never nailed down a consistent starting spot with any of the three. Despite impressing with the Leesiders in a run of games at the end of the 2019 season, Ryan departed.
Barrett will be hoping that Ryan’s hunger to prove any doubters wrong and show the form which earned him his chance in England will allow him to flourish in the second tier.
Jack Lynch: The son of former Limerick and Waterford manager Tommy, Jack is a key signing in defence for Barrett. The former Waterford man won a first division title with the Suirsiders in 2017 and can play at both centre-back and right-back.
He has been plying his trade at Galway United for the last 18 months but could not commit to full time football and left John Caulfield’s side following defeat in the play-off against eventual winners Longford Town.
Lynch now becomes one of the most experienced players in a relatively unproven Treaty squad and could also be in the running to captain the side. His pace if utilised at full-back will be an asset.
Marc Ludden: Speaking of experienced players, Marc Ludden now becomes the stand alone player with over ten years in the Airtricity League between Mervue and Galway.
The 30 year-old is also the elder statesman in a young panel and like Lynch could not commit to full-time football at Galway. He has operated at left-back or leftwing-back for his hometown club over the last seven years at both Premier and First Division level.
Ludden’s height may also provide Barrett with the opportunity to play him as a left-sided centre-back if he were to play three central defenders.
With young players Alan Murphy and Aaron Fitzgerald also playing at left-back, Ludden will have plenty of competition but both players could learn from the former Mervue man’s professionalism which is evident when you listen to former team-mates and managers.
Joel Coustrain: Much like Tadgh Ryan, Coustrain has struggled to settle in Ireland since returning from a spell in both England and Scotland. Coustrain earned a move to Sheffield United’s Academy at the young age of 14 and upon returning signed for Shamrock Rovers.
Despite receiving a lot of game time under Stephen Bradley early on and signing for a second season in 2018, the lively winger was released and had spells with Cork and Athlone since.
It is an important signing for Barrett on two fronts. Firstly, Coustrain has a point to prove at Airtricity League level and is determined to make his mark. Secondly, the failure to secure the signings of either Connor Ellis or Enda Curran leaves Barrett with a headache and lack of options up front.
Coustrain’s pace and ability on the ball could see him used either as a winger or possibly as a make-shift striker or support striker and the Corbally native reportedly looked sharp in training this week
Conor Melody: Melody joins Ludden and Lynch as a former Galway player who is making the move to Shannonside. Melody’s position is stated as a midfielder although he has been known to line-out on the wing for his former club.
It was expected that Melody and Ludden would be joined on their travels from Galway by the experienced striker Enda Curran but the move never materialised.
Many have touted Melody as a possible make-shift striker in the absence of the signing of his former team-mate as both Adam Foley and Kieran Hanlon have a battle ahead to regain full fitness.
Notably, we haven’t stated any central midfielders in our key signings. Thus far, Barrett could use Clyde O’Connell, Joe Collins, Matt Keane and Callum McNamara in that position.
Keane arrives from Killarney Celtic while Callum McNamara signs from Newmarket where he impressed for the last three years. Joe Collins was a stand-out performer for Galway District League in the Oscar Traynor before earning a move to Galway. However, he left the club at the end of the season.
More options will be explored in the coming weeks as Barrett attempts to sort the spine of the team ahead of the league opener against Bray.
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