After a year that ended with a heartbreaking defeat in the First Division playoff final, Treaty United supporters still had a lot to be optimistic about.
Supporters proudly followed the club home and away and were rewarded when a strong end to the season cemented their place in the playoffs.
While the end result was disappointing, supporters felt like success was on the way. Local Treaty fan Ben Pearse summed it up: “The resolution from Tommy Barrett and the squad to come back and make the playoff final shows true grit and determination.
“No one gave them a shot, but that’s been the story of the club since its inception.”
Uncertainty and squad concerns for 2026
In the time since that final, however, uncertainty has surrounded the club.
Ciara McCormack stepped down as CEO, and several key first-team players have departed.
In recent weeks it was confirmed that Lee-J Lynch, who was announced as the new sporting director of Limerick FC during the offseason, had left the club.
“The loss of Lee Devitt was disappointing, but it was one that was foreseen after his incredible season, so to also lose Lee-J on top of that is particularly worrying,” Pearse admitted. “There was major hope amongst the fanbase that we would be able to keep hold of him.”
Seven of the players who started the playoff final loss have now left the club.
With a few new signings already in the door and a week left in the transfer window, supporters are hoping the club isn’t finished yet.
Pearse believes the club’s decision to re-sign 21-year-old centre back Richkov Boevi could be crucial.
“Richkov is a great young player. It shows the desire of the club and how important he can be to the squad in the future. Signing young players and promoting from the academy should be a top priority.”
This feeling is echoed by Managing Director Ian McMahon: “We’ve got a good academy, but we want it to be better, to really grow.
“We’ve had lots of success on the girls’ side. We’ve got 5 U19 internationals, with Kate Lawlee as the captain and Madison McGuane recognized as one of the top players in the country.
“The boys side is still developing.”
Revival of Limerick FC
How Limerick FC’s resurgence will affect Treaty United remains unclear.
With multiple underage teams confirmed for the 2026 season, Limerick FC has no plans to stop there. They announced they are “committed to building a stable, sustainable, and successful Senior League of Ireland club.”
This raises important questions: What would that mean for Treaty United? Could Limerick have two senior League of Ireland clubs, and would that be viable for either?
McMahon doesn’t believe so, telling Limerick Voice that “he doesn’t think there’s room for two clubs in Limerick.”
Financial concerns
The club reported a positive equity figure of over 14 thousand euro, at the beginning of 2023.
By the end of 2024, financial reports revealed a €1.1 million deficit, showing that the club accumulated losses greatly exceeding its capital in just two years.
This can be attributed to the increase in lending, particularly from Football Ventures Group Limited, and expenses paid by Tricor Pacific Capital Incorporated.
Borrowing increased by nearly 800 hundred-thousand euros since 2023, bringing total debt to €1.4 million by 31 December 2024.
However, when questioned about the long-term financial future of the club, McMahon said the owners were there for the long haul: “We feel that we can put things in place quickly to really move the dial on and off the pitch this year.”
With a new season comes new opportunities, and supporters will be hoping that their club can build on last year’s momentum.