It’s cutting things close, but League Of Ireland football returns to Limerick in 2021 as Treaty United have been named as the tenth side in the SSE Airtricity First Division.
The final lineup for the 2021/22 season was confirmed by the FAI on Saturday.
A nine-team schedule had previously been issued, leaving one team with a week off each round of fixtures.
With all ten teams now confirmed, Treaty enter the second tier of Irish football by replacing Shamrock Rovers II who had played in the division for 2020, themselves having replaced Limerick FC following their 2019 collapse.
Per the FAI, “Licences for the 2021 season were awarded by the Independent Licensing Committee on Friday. On receipt earlier today of the NLEC recommendation that the First Division comprise of 10 teams, the FAI Board then took its decision this afternoon.”
Two years on, Friday night football is back in Limerick.
@TreatyUnitedFC Chairman Conn Murray "Senior Soccer is back in the Mid West".
All at the football club are thrilled with the FAI announcement this evening that we will participate in the 2021 @SSEAirtricityLg First Division season. pic.twitter.com/67KkcXhbKy
— Treaty United FC (@TreatyUnitedFC) February 20, 2021
Missing out
Treaty were one of a number of sides gunning for a spot in the league this year though it will be Shamrock Rovers II and new outfit Dublin County FC who miss out this season.
It had been considered to extend the First Division to 12 teams, though for the moment it will continue as a ten-team competition.
Treaty will be managed by former Limerick FC boss Tommy Barrett, the club playing Bray Wanderers in their opening fixture.
The SSE Airtricity Premier Division gets underway on Friday 19 March while the First Division commences one week later on 26 March.
SSE Airtricity Premier Division
Bohemian FC, Derry City, Drogheda United, Dundalk, Finn Harps, Longford Town, Shamrock Rovers, Sligo Rovers, St Patrick’s Athletic, Waterford FC.
SSE Airtricity First Division
Athlone Town, Bray Wanderers, Cabinteely, Cobh Ramblers, Cork City, Galway United, Shelbourne, Treaty United, UCD AFC, Wexford FC.
