While results on the field have been positive for Treaty United on the field so far this season with the women’s team securing their second win from 2 games yesterday as they defeated DLR Waves and the men’s team have had a good start in the First Division and were very unlucky to come away on the losing side on Friday night as a 93rd minute goal from Wexford FC to come away with the win.
It is starting to be the discussions from the club and it’s supporters that are starting to make the more noise than the results on the field and usually when this is happening in football it’s usually not for the right reasons.
Before we begin talking about this, LOITalk is a neutral party on this matter, Our platform was setup by fans for the fans and will cover any stories that involve clubs and supporters in the League Of Ireland if we are able to verify if they are true.
CEO’S Statement
Earlier today Treaty United CEO Ciara McCormack released a statement/message on her LinkedIn about what she describes as targeted abuse from a section of the club’s supporters.
The link to Ciara’s full statement is on the link above.
McCormack suggested the tensions stem from changes introduced since the club’s 2023 takeover, including efforts to provide equal resources to the women’s team and taking a stand against online abuse directed at players. McCormack expressed concern over what she sees as a culture in football where abuse is tolerated in ways that would be unacceptable in other environments.
For Friday night’s home fixture v Wexford FC ,McCormack claimed she was the subject of derogatory chants and banners at a recent game, leading her to avoid attending the match for her own well-being.
A particular point of contention has been her interactions with the supporters’ group, the “Blue Army.” McCormack stated that after canceling a planned meeting with them over alleged online abuse of a player, she faced continued backlash both online and at matches.
However, some fans argue that their frustration stems from how decisions have been made at the club, rather than personal animosity. They believe that supporters’ voices have been sidelined and that certain changes have not been communicated effectively.
Ciara concluded her statement by calling for stronger action against abusive behaviour in football, urging governing bodies and fans alike to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved in the game.
Blue Army Response:
A short time after the Treaty United CEO released her statement, the fan group in question “The Blue Army” took to X (formerly Twitter) to give it’s side to the events that are happening behind the scenes at the Shannonside club.
You can read the full statement from the Blue Army Here:
The group have acknowledges that is not without its flaws but refutes specific allegations. One of the central points of contention is the claim that the group is composed solely of men, creating an implied gender-based divide. The statement pushes back against this notion, asserting that the group includes both men and women and that the accusations misrepresent the reality of its composition. (McCormack has since edited her statement to say both men and women).
The Blue Army also point out contrary to comments made by McCormack that the issues regarding what’s going on has nothing to do with the men v women debate and describe it as “dangerous and downright horrible” that the group is being made out to be considered like this. The Blue Army again point out it’s not just a male only group and say that there were “women involved with the planning, the setting up and the execution of the display from Friday night”.
Author Note: Having been in attendance at the Markets Field on Friday night and on numerous other occasions can verify myself that there is infact both men and women in the BlueArmy group and were so in attendance on Friday night.
The Blue Army claim that “plenty of women dislike Ciara” as much as any man does. A comment the group were unhappy with is that they have a issue with the women’s team being treated. The group describe this accusation as “nonsense” and say members of the Blue Army attended several games last season for the women’s side and were in attendance for the first game of the new Women’s Premier Division when Treaty United defeated Waterford FC 2-0.
The sole issue the group had with the women’s side is that they feel it doesn’t make sense for the business side of the club for the men’s and women’s team budgets for the season to be the same when the men’s side is creating revenue through larger attendances. They pick out a game from last season where the men’s game in the Markets Field had 3000 in attendance compared to 77 at the same venue the following day for the women’s fixture.
Addressing another issue of McCormack’s was the abuse of a signing made on social media when he was announced. The group agree that the abuse was “not nice” but point out around the football world and especially on social media it isn’t the first time it has happened and unfortunately the player wont be the last one to be abused.
Another issue was the abuse of a certain player at a fixture regarding his “weight” The group point out that the Blue Army and the player in question have a “very good relationship” with the player and when he scored against the club last season he celebrated infront of the group “cupping his stomach and was applauded off the pitch for taking part in banter”. The player also tweeted about the experience and praised the Blue Army which McCormack left out in her statement.
Author Note: I was in attendance for the game last year and actually got to talk to the player after the game for a minute and enjoyed the banter of it during the game and applauded the Blue Army coming off the field. Was also in attendance for the game between the sides this season and the player was laughing at the chants during the game and again applauded the group after the game.
“Shouldn’t Work With Us”
McCormack claims she has been receiving abuse from supporters for months and because of this she shouldn’t work with the Blue Army. The Blue Army claim they have received emails from McCormack agreeing to meet with the group 3 times in the past week and 1 of her offering to subsidise the supporter bus to Dundalk which was being run by the Blue Army.
1 of the key issues the Blue Army have with the current CEO and why the protest on Friday night occurred is due to the treatment of a man “that has been around Limerick Senior Football for longer than the majority of the Blue Army are alive.” The group chose this game in particular as they were aware members of the investment group that is currently supporting Treaty United were going to be in attendance for the game and had warned the club of their intentions for the protest and the reasons behind why it was taking place. The Blue Army claim they have received messages from both men and women who are “disgusted with her actions”
Author Note: LOITalk has seen and been made aware of individuals that used to volunteer for the club but have since departed their roles due to comments made by the Treaty United CEO.
The “Real Reasons” the Blue ArmyHave with the CEO
Credit: @LFCBlueArmy on X
The group finish their statement by concluding “This is by no means men v women. This is concerned fans who love their club against a CEO doing a sh*tty job plain and simple”
Any football fan knows that the club’s that perform well on the field are the ones that work together with their supporters and have the full backing of their supporters. It is clear looking from the outside that there is a severe collapse in communication between the club and its supporters and given the history of what has happened before with Limerick Senior Football it doesn’t tend to end well and I just hope it isn’t going to go down that path again.
The next few days and weeks could be crucial for the club.
LOITalk has approached Ciara for a comment or apperance on our podcast and if we receive a response we will update on our social media platforms.