🗞️ Match Preview | Treaty United vs Dundalk FC

Dundalk FC
5 hours ago
3 min read

📅 Date: Friday, August 22, 2025

⏰ Kick-off: 7.45PM

📍 Venue: Markets Field

Dundalk FC make the trip to Limerick this Friday night to face Treaty United in Matchday 28 of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division, the first fixture of the final round of games in the campaign.

The Lilywhites come into the clash unbeaten in their last four league matches and sitting six points clear at the top of the table after a resounding 6-1 win over Athlone Town in their most recent outing. With nine matches remaining, Ciarán Kilduff’s side will be looking to strengthen their grip on the title race as the run in begins.

📈 Treaty’s Form

Treaty United currently occupy 5th place and the final promotion playoff spot on 35 points, five ahead of Wexford in 6th. However, they come into the game without a win in their last five matches. Their most recent outing was a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Longford Town, following on from a 1-1 draw with Kerry in Limerick and a 3-2 loss away to Bray Wanderers. Before that, they shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw with Athlone Town and exited the FAI Cup with a defeat to Derry City.

Despite this poor run of form, Tommy Barrett’s side remain dangerous and boast one of the division’s top strikers in Lee Devitt, who has scored 13 goals this season, the third-highest tally in the league.

⚔️ Previous Meetings

Photo By Gerry Scully

This is the fourth meeting between the teams in 2025, and Treaty remain the only side Dundalk have yet to beat this season. The first clash came at Oriel Park back in March, when Dundalk established a 2-0 lead through goals from Dean Ebbe in the 27th minute and Eoin Kenny in the 80th. However, a dramatic late comeback saw Martin pull one back on 86 minutes before Lee Devitt struck in the 90th to snatch a 2-2 draw.

In April at the Markets Field, Dundalk again looked set for victory after Daryl Horgan’s 70th-minute opener, but Treaty once more responded late, with Mahdy levelling the game in the 80th minute. The third encounter in June followed a similar pattern. Harry Groome’s strike in the 86th minute had the Lilywhites on course for three points at Oriel Park, only for Walsh to equalize in stoppage time, sealing another frustrating 1-1 draw.

🗣️ Kilduff’s Thoughts

Head coach Ciarán Kilduff is fully aware of the challenge ahead:

“Treaty are the only team we haven’t beaten this season, and that in itself will give us plenty of motivation. They’ve hurt us late in games three times already, so we know how dangerous they can be right to the end. We’ll need to be switched on for 90 plus minutes.”

On the title run-in:

“We’re in a strong position, six points clear with nine games to go, but nothing is decided yet. Every game is huge from here on out. The lads have trained really well over the break, and we’re ready to get going again.”

📋 Team News

Dundalk remain without long-term absentees Ethen Vaughan and Leo Gaxha, while a couple of players face late fitness tests. However, the squad is otherwise in good shape, and Kilduff is optimistic of having close to a full panel to choose from.