WHAT a night at the Markets Field. The game was played in a sun-drenched stadium as Treaty Utd gave their best performance of the season in front of a restricted capacity of 200 fans during the 2-1 victory over UCD.
From the very beginning, Tommy Barrett’s tactics were obvious and purposeful; defend with a narrow back four to nullify the threat of Colm Whelan and Liam Kerrigan and attack in wide areas with quick transitions to wide man and last week’s goal scoring hero Willie Armshaw in the hope of exploiting UCD’s 3-5-2 formation.
There was some excellent football played by both sides throughout in what was a very open encounter with UCD as always applying the total football approach and Treaty mixing short and long passes to great effect.
Sean Guerins mid-week injury was a worrying development for Treaty as news filtered through yesterday that he had suffered a serious ankle injury which is likely to keep him out of the side for up to six weeks.
However, the timely return of Mark Walsh to the starting eleven was a huge boost for Barrett and Co. Walsh possesses a cool head under pressure and combining that with his ability to sense danger, he was a joy to watch.
Just like all top players, Walsh managed to bring the best out of those around him. Kieran ‘Red’ Hanlon’s fitness and confidence levels are improving week by week and the former Pike Rovers man gave a centre-forward master class as he consistently held the ball up and brought the rest of his team into play while also giving Sam Todd, Jack Keaney and Evan Osam a torrid time at the back aided by his physical presence and technical class.
Marc Ludden at left back continues to become a fans favourite with yet another assist for the opening goal, a pinpoint cross on thirty-two minutes for captain Jack Lynch’s arrival into the box and his header gave Lorcan Healy no chance for a deserved lead.
Ludden’s leadership and use of the ball, particularly his numerous diagonal switch passes from left back to Matt Keane on the right wing were a joy to watch. The former Galway United stalwart strikes me as the ultimate professional as he is always encouraging his younger teammates and leading by example with his performances.
New signing Stephen Christopher who arrived from Galway United during the week, replaced Willie Armshaw before half time which was very surprising. The young winger while suffering from the heat, certainly didn’t look injured and would have appreciated the opportunity to complete the first half.
Treaty began the second half brightly as the game opened up even further with UCD midfield trio of Sean Brennan, Dara Keane and Paul Doyle coming out second best in that area of the pitch to Callum McNamara, Joe Collins and
Jack Lynch. The students were gifted a lifeline on fifty-four minutes when twenty-year-old McNamara was adjudged to have fouled Liam Kerrigan as the ball looked to be running out of play and top scorer Colm Whelan made no mistake when beating Tadgh Ryan from the spot.
One might have worried at this stage as to what effect the concession of the goal would have on Treaty but this team doesn’t roll over that easily and they regained the lead five minutes later when Matt Keane’s superb cross was met by skipper Jack Lynch who found himself unmarked at the back post to volley home.
At this point, chances were exchanged at both ends with Liam Kerrigan forcing the impressive Ryan into a great save after some fantastic UCD play opened up the home defence.
Subsequently, substitute Clyde O’Connell produced a right foot pile driver which came back off Lorcan Healy’s post with the keeper beaten. Treaty were not to be denied and ran out deserving winners on the night. They now have a firm grip on that play off place, leading sixth place Athlone by eight points after Adrian Carberry’s side went down 3-1 to champions elect Shelbourne.
The job Tommy Barrett has done so far this season cannot be overstated. Barrett was tactically spot on and has instilled a grit and determination combined tonight with some excellent passages of play to a squad he assembled in an unbelievably short timeline prior to the season, which is nothing short of top class.
He deserves all the plaudits that are rightly coming his way as he has put Limerick senior soccer back on the map against all the odds and is providing such a positive platform for all in the mid-west to enjoy.
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