Former Limerick FC player says that PFAI transfer lists highlight a lack of security in the First Division.
SIX players with links to Treaty United have been named on the Professional Footballers’ Association of Ireland’s (PFAI) transfer lists as clubs begin preparing for the 2027 League of Ireland season.
Five players feature on the men’s list, released on November 9. Defender Darren Nwankwo, midfielders Colin Conroy, Steven Healy and Ronan Manning, and attacker Brian Cunningham all list Treaty United as their previous club.
The women’s list, published the previous week, features one Treaty representative in goalkeeper Katherine Hess.
The lists include male and female players from across the League of Ireland’s three divisions who are making themselves available to other clubs ahead of the 2027 season.
Inclusion does not necessarily mean a player has been released or intends to leave their current club, with some continuing to play for the club listed as their previous team. Instead, the lists provide an opportunity for interested clubs to identify players and make contact through the PFAI.
Conroy joined Treaty from Bohemians ahead of the 2022 season, while Healy initially arrived on loan from Galway United in 2024 before making the move permanent in January 2026. Academy graduate Nwankwo made his senior debut in 2022, with Manning and Cunningham both joining in 2026 after spells with Sligo Rovers and Galway United respectively.
Goalkeeper Katherine Hess was the sole Treaty representative on the women’s list, having joined ahead of the 2026 season after playing for Harvard University and helping Athlone Town win the 2023 Women’s FAI Cup.
Also on the men’s list is Jason Folarin Oyenuga, whose previous club is listed as St Patrick’s Athletic. The 20-year-old spent the 2026 season on loan at Treaty, scoring eight league goals. St Patrick’s confirmed in early November that he would leave when his contract expired.
Former Limerick FC player and academy coach Jason O’Connor believes the transfer lists highlight the lack of security facing League of Ireland players, particularly in the First Division.
“Most players operate just on a year-to-year basis, especially in the First Division. So that security for them isn’t really there,” he said.
O’Connor admitted he was surprised that more Treaty United players had not appeared on the lists following the club’s difficult 2026 campaign. He said defender Darren Nwankwo and midfielder Colin Conroy are players worth keeping an eye on.
Looking beyond the transfer lists, O’Connor questioned whether Treaty is currently an attractive destination for local players, despite the depth of talent in the region.
“Is Treaty an attractive place to come for players? That’s the question we have to ask ourselves,” he said.
With the Limerick FC name set to return in 2027, O’Connor believes tapping into the region’s local talent should be a priority for the club as it enters a new era.
“There’s great local talent here in Limerick,” he said.
Several other players on the men’s list have links to Limerick football. Former Treaty defender Thomas Considine is included following his spell with Athlone Town, having scored twice on his debut for the club in a 3-1 win over Cobh Ramblers in 2024.
Goalkeeper Brendan Clarke, also listed after his time with Athlone, previously represented Limerick FC in 2017 and 2018. Kerry attacker Ryan Perez came through the club’s academy, while Dean George spent almost three seasons at the Markets Field before joining Longford Town ahead of the 2024 campaign.
With the Limerick FC name set to return to senior football in 2027, the presence of former players and academy graduates on the list adds another local angle to the recruitment picture.
The full PFAI transfer lists are available here.