Treaty United Sporting Director Ian McMahon has insisted owners Tricor Pacific Capital “aren’t going anywhere” amid growing fan frustration over player exits.
Speaking to Limerick Voice as the new season kicks off, McMahon dismissed concerns over Treaty’s long-term future under the Vancouver-based firm.
“The owners are not going anywhere. They’re here for the long haul,” McMahon explained. “While people on the outside may be making noise about that, there were never any plans for the organisation to come in and just throw money around. We’ve seen in the history of sport, and football particularly, that it rarely works.”
Tricor took joint control of the Limerick outfit in October 2023 alongside former Ireland international Ciara McCormack but now hold all the cards following McCormack’s resignation as CEO last November.
McMahon’s first three months have been marred by exits. Star forward and top scorer Lee Devitt departed Markets Field in December for Premier Division side Galway United – the pick of a slew of first-team players leaving for pastures new.
“It’s always challenging with high turnover, but I think that’s the nature of the League of Ireland, particularly the First Division,” he admitted. “Lee is a big loss to any team, but he wanted to play at the higher level, and we’re just not there. But hopefully we’ve got another few Lee Devitt’s waiting to step up.”
And as with all high-turnover clubs, Treaty has seen a host of new faces arrive in the offseason. The signing of Cian Curtis from Bray Wanderers could prove to be a major coup, with the 21-year-old fitting McMahon and Head Coach Tommy Barrett’s long-term vision for the club.
“We want people who are hard-working, hungry, and fit the age group we’re targeting,” McMahon said. “Cian already knows the league and fits into the system Tommy has. He’s the type of player for us that isn’t just a quick fix, he’s someone who can develop here as we grow.”
In addition to numerous internal changes, Treaty now face the slow rebirth of Limerick FC as a local competitor, with the threat of a merger looming should the 2037 centenary project comes to fruition.
“Honestly, I don’t think there’s room for two clubs in Limerick.” And that’s nothing against Limerick FC, or anybody else who may want to put a club, but it’s just not a big enough city. We’re fighting as it is with GAA, rugby and everything else, so I don’t think it would make sense from any standpoint to have two teams.”
Beyond the first team, McMahon emphasised that success this season will be measured as much off the pitch as on it. He highlighted the club’s academy – particularly on the women’s side, as a key area of progress.
“We’ve had lots of success on the girls’ side, with five U19 internationals, and players like Katie Lawlee and Madison McGuane recognised at national level,” he said, adding that the boys’ academy remains a work in progress, with a new academy director and head of coaching set to be appointed in the near future.
Infrastructure, McMahon insisted, is central to Treaty’s future. Since his appointment, the club has hired a commercial manager, community staff, and new office personnel.
“Ultimately, we want a club that’s still here in 10 years,” he said. “That takes time, but I think in the next six to 12 months people will begin to see the direction we’re going.”