Devitt ready to go once more for Treaty United

Newmarket’s Lee Devitt will be hoping to lead from the front as Treaty United’s season kicks off this Friday.
The tie is certainly an interesting one for Devitt as Treaty United face off against his old club Cobh Ramblers. With Markets Field set to host its first league game in 125 days, the Newmarket man is chomping at the bit to kickstart another campaign in Limerick.
“I can’t wait for the new season to start. Everyone is buzzing to get underway. Our last league game was back in November, so it has been a while. The excitement is really building, and my phone hasn’t stopped all week with people looking for tickets, so the anticipation is building, and everyone is ready for Friday night.”
The 23 year old made his league debut in 2018 with Limerick FC but despite the early taste of domestic football, the midfielder’s love of the game comes firmly from his Clare roots.
His uncles Michael and Kieran are the holders of Premier Division and Clare Cup medals. Treaty United’s 2023 Player of the Year states his passion for the game came from following Newmarket Celtic and also from his time playing with Shannon Hibs.
“How I got into soccer is through my family. I used to go every Sunday morning to watch my uncles play for Newmarket Celtic when I was a young lad. I was mad about it and no matter where they were playing, I was there. It was like a Sunday ritual.”
“Shannon Hibs was absolutely massive for my development. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them. I played all my schoolboy football with them even though I am a Newmarket lad. I always get a bit of slagging over that because I never actually played with Celtic. The likes of Tommy McDade, ‘Daisy’ Halpin and Alan Webb were brilliant in helping me get to where I wanted to be.”
Devitt runs his own coaching academy as he is passionate about helping young players develop their game.
He reached out to Newmarket Celtic during the pandemic and once he was granted permission by the club to use their facilities, he never looked back.
“The coaching academy came about during COVID and it was something I was always looking to do and help young players develop in the local area. I studied Sports Coaching and Business in LIT for three years and wanted to start my own academy out of it.”
“I got in contact with my local club, Newmarket Celtic, and they were all for it. They allowed me to use their facilities and I have not really looked back since. I get great satisfaction seeing young players developing and I love helping them reach their highest level and potential.”
Tommy Barrett takes charge of Treaty once more with Devitt effusive in his praise for the Sixmilebridge man. The 23 year old states he wants to build on his last season as he seeks to repay the trust Barrett has placed in him.
“I have known Tommy since my schoolboy days with Limerick FC. He is a top class manager and I think his record speaks for itself. To be honest I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves. He is always looking out for his players on and off the field.”
He gave me my debut in 2018 (with Limerick FC). It was very unexpected as I was only just in around the first team set up. Karl O’Sullivan was injured in the warm up and he told me I was in from the start. I didn’t have time to think about it and he told me to just go out, express myself and enjoy the experience. Personally, I just want to keep repaying him for the trust and faith he showed in me from the very first day.”
Treaty have battled valiantly to try and capture the public imagination after being founded in 2020 following the demise of Limerick FC at senior level.
This season the club has changed their home jersey from red and white stripes to blue in a bid to generate increased support.
Those red and white stripes were worn by the Limerick club from its first ever competitive game in August 1937 and for the next six years before the club changed its colours to blue. Apart from a brief spell in the 1980s, blue remained the club’s colour and is now reinstated for 2024, something which Devitt is pleased to see.
“I really like the new home shirt. Something the fans were very keen on was getting back in the iconic blue jersey. It is a very familiar colour when it comes to Limerick senior soccer, and it means a lot to the Limerick public. I think the jersey represents everything we are as a team and a club. Every time I put on that jersey it is a proud moment because you are representing