League Report: Treaty United 1 - 0 Wexford

Tom Clancy reports from Market's Field.

Anthony O’Donnell proved the hero as the latest era of senior football on Shannonside got off a winning start. 

Tommy Barrett’s side held on to the slenderest of leads to condem Wexford to their second defeat in as many weeks. 

Clyde O’Connell’s 65th minute dismissal was the catalyst for a professional defensive showing from Treaty, as Wexford failed to create anything of note throughout the game. 

The game was only 5 minutes old when Jack Doherty, one of three changes in the Wexford starting XI, raced onto a through ball but was denied by Shane Cusack. 

Then, on 26 minutes, a moment of history for O’Donnell and his new club arrived. The defender had previously played with Limerick but is now a more refined and well-rounded defender. He finished from close range, after Marc Ludden’s free-kick was added to by Jack Lynch. 

Trailing at the interval, Wexford were unable to threathen Cusack’s clean sheet in the second half. He dealt with a number of tame efforts, as well as a handful of crosses. 

The hosts ideas of extending their lead were dashed in the 65th minute, when Clyde O’Connell was dismissed. His first yellow, just five minutes earlier, was for a cynical foul, but the second was more disputed. He appeared to have won the ball but referee Jason Mannix deemed the challenge to be excessive and the midfielder received his marching orders.

Treaty retreated, but were able to call upon their experience of operating with 10 men from last weekend and secured the victory. At the heart of defence was O’Donnell who led his new side to their first ever victory, in what is hoped is a new dawn for football in the mid-west.

Treaty United: Shane Cusack; Jack Lynch ©, Anthony O’Donnell, Seán Guerins, Marc Ludden; Edward McCarthy (Callum McNamara 71), Matt Keane, Mark Walsh, Clyde O’Connell, Joel Coustrain; Kieran Hanlon (Matt McKevitt 75)

Subs not used: Tadhy Ryan (gk), Alan Murphy, William Armshaw, Ed O’Dwyer, Adam Foley, Shane Lowth.

Booked: O’Connell (60)

Sent off: O’Connell (65)

Wexford: Jimmy Corcoran; Paul Cleary, Jack Connolly, Luke Turner, Alex O’Hanlon; Karl Fitzsimons, Paul Fox, Karl Manahan ©, Conor Crowley, Harry Groome (Success Edogun 70); Jack Doherty.

Subs not used: Tom Murphy (gk), Dan Tobin, James Carroll, Jack Larkin, Kevin McEvoy, Charlie Smith, Kyle Robinson, Evan Farrell.

Booked: Jack Connolly (25) 

Referee: Jason Mannix 

ExtraTime.com Player of the Match: Antony O’Donnell (Treaty United)

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— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 2, 2021