TREATY United will be desperate to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Cork City when they host another Munster rival Waterford FC at the Markets Field on Friday night (7.45).
It will be the Limerick side’s second home game in the space of seven days having not previously had a home game since the beginning of the season. There are currently 6 points between the teams with Waterford in third place and Treaty in seventh place with one game less played.
Last weekend, Treaty suffered their heaviest defeat in their short existence with a 0-4 home defeat to the Leesiders in front of a healthy crowd. Tommy Barrett is hopeful that the performance was a one off from his side as it is rare to see them lose in such a fashion. The Treaty defence will be looking for improvements from an unfamiliar hesitant display.
There is plenty of competition in the squad and following the concession of four sloppy goals last week, the likes of Mark Walsh will be hopeful of consideration for a recall. New defender Joe Gorman has struggled since his arrival but is also lacking in match fitness. Joel Coustrain appears to have secured a place on the wing for Treaty and despite the result, was full of endeavour last week.
Kieran Hanlon made his first start of the season but was isolated throughout with Treaty surrendering possession in dangerous areas on more than one occasion. In one of the few positives, Barrett handed Clare native and former Regional player Jack Arra. He is one of many players to be handed an Airtricity League debut by the club in the last 18 months.
Friday’s game will be no easy task with another full-time opponent in Waterford who are looking to return to the Premier Division at the first time of asking.
Retaining the likes of Junior Quitirna, Phoenix Patterson and Eddie Nolan was very important for Ian Morris with the former two scoring at will in their three victories from five games. The Suirsiders will also be looking to return to winning ways following a 2-0 defeat to Cork at a packed Turners Cross two weeks ago.
It is the second competitive meeting of these sides this season after Treaty United emerged victorious in the Munster Senior Cup quarter-final clash back in early February. Sean Guerins and Dean George scoring the goals.
Captain Jack Lynch is still a few weeks from full fitness but both Conor Melody and Colin Conroy will be expected to return following concussion. With another week of rest, Treaty will be hopeful that striker Enda Curran will return having failed a late fitness test last week.
Treaty United senior women’s team were defeated 5-1 by title challenging Peamount United last week with Emma Costelloe scoring a screamer to get Don O’Riordan’s first goal as the club’s manager. The schedule does not get any easier for Treaty as they travel to face Wexford Youths on Saturday at 2pm.
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