Match Report: Treaty United (H)

Athlone Town 0-5 Treaty United

Athlone Town hosted Treaty United at Athlone Town Stadium on Friday night as both teams looked to secure their first three points of the 2025 campaign. Dario Castelo named a strong starting eleven for Athlone Town’s first home game of 2025, with seven players making their competitive debut in front of the loyal home support.

Athlone started the game well, looking comfortable in and out of possession, spending time in the Treaty United half. An early flurry of corners for Athlone saw the home side start with attacking intent. Kailin Barlow’s ambitious free kick from distance served as the first shot of the game, sailing harmlessly over the Treaty United goal.

The first Treaty United attack resulted in the games opening goal through Treaty captain Lee Devitt, a dangerous cross which the Athlone defence failed to clear saw Devitt knock home a scuffed shot from close range. Athlone Town 0 – 1 Treaty United after a dominant start from Athlone.

Dario’s men continued to remain confident in their attacking build up as play continued, with Aaron Connolly performing well in the opening stages. Once again against the run of play, a spectacular curling effort from Lee Devitt left Matt Connor with no chance as Treaty doubled their lead in the sixteenth minute.

Ben Feeney was unlucky to miss the target from a looping header following a threatening cross from the right wing. A sign of the strength of this Treaty defence, as Athlone continued to advance on the Treaty defence.

Yet another right-footed Barlow free looped the ball onto the head of Cole Omeherion from six yards out, who had to hit the target, in one of Athlone’s best chances of the first half. The Midlanders continued to pose the questions of the Munster sides defence. A ball hooked in from the right wing found Brian Torre, who should have tested Corey Chambers in the Treaty net. Treaty scored their third through Ben Lynch just before half time, beating Matt Connor at his near post, sending Dario’s side in at half time with their heads low and confidence lower following a lack of concentration in key moments.
Half time score Athlone Town 0 – 3 Treaty United.

The teams emerged for the second half, with Dario wasting no time, making four changes as Kyle O’Connor, Kyle Robinson, Gideon Tetteh and Billy Gilmore were introduced as Brian Torre, Cole Omorehiomwan, Noe Baba and Kailin Barlow made way for the home side. Robbie Lynch replaced Ryan Lynch for the away team.

Dylan Hand’s header was cleared off the line by goalscorer Devitt Molloy. Athlone continued to push on and give the home support a beacon of hope. Rory Feeney continued to pose the questions of Chambers’ net as some intricate dribbling from the ever present Dean Williams opened the defence. From here Athlone continued to grow in confidence as they attempted to find a way back into this encounter.

Treaty managed the game well, killing off the momentum through slowing down play and a series of substitutions. Billy Gilmore was a welcome addition in the second half, with his passing ability tempting the Athlone wingers to run in behind Treaty’s defensive line.

As Kyle O’Connor continued to maraud down the left wing, his cross was poorly cleared, falling to JR Wilson who forced a strong save from Chambers. Treaty rarely challenged the home side’s net as the came ticked into the 75th minute. Ben Feeney left the field for Agbo Babatunde, the final sub available to Castelo.

The Treaty defense continued to resolutely resist the oncoming traffic as they clinged onto their clean sheet, while the result seemed defined with 10 minutes to go. Bad went to worse for Athlone, Connor beaten at his near post as Devitt secured his hat-trick, summing up proceedings for Athlone.

Treaty scored their fifth through Mark Byrne which concluded a frustrating evening for Athlone who have the Midlands derby up next away to Longford Town.

Goals: Lee Devitt (10′), Lee Devitt (17′), Benjamin Lynch (43′), Lee Devitt (81′), Mark Byrne (90′).

Athlone: Matthew Connor, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly (C), Dean Williams, Cole Omorehiomwan, Noe Baba, Ben Feeney, John Ross Wilson, Kailin Barlow, Brian Torre. Subs Used: Kyle O’Connor, Agbo Babatunde, Kyle Robinson, Gideon Tetteh, Billy Gilmore.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Richkov Boevi, Benjamin Lynch, Lee Devitt (C), Colin Conroy, Yousef Mahdy, Joseph Hanson, Connor Wilson, Evan O’Connor, Eoin Martin, Karl O’Sullivan. Subs Used: Mark Byrne, Vojtech Ptacek, Benjamin Lee, Robbie Lynch, Trpimir Vrljicak.

Attendance: 673
Referee: Robert Dowling

Report by Jake McLoughlin
Photo by Lorcan Withers