League Report: Treaty United 2 - 1 Cork City
Michael Cooke reports from Market's Field.
Treaty United picked up their second win of the season following a 2-1 win over Cork City at the Markets Field.
Former Limerick FC player, Cian Coleman cancelled out Anthony O’Donnell’s opener before half-time before Matt Keane won the game for the hosts in the 79th minute.
Treaty manager Tommy Barrett made one change from last week’s draw with Galway United as Anthony O’Donnell replaced Joel Coustrain who continues his recovery from a recent knock.
The Leesiders were without injured duo Gearóid Morrissey and Steven Beattie while Jack Walsh was suspended resulting in starting places for Uniss Kargbo, Dale Holland and Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh.
The game’s first real scoring opportunity fell to City in the 14th minute with Dylan McGlade forcing a great save from Tadhg Ryan.
Six minutes later, the hosts had a chance of their own where Sean McSweeney failed to hit the target from about 20 yards.
On the half hour mark, McSweeney tried his luck again and this time, it was deflected out for a corner from which Treaty almost scored after Marc Ludden’s delivery deflected off Alec Byrne and went across the face of the goal.
Treaty was then awarded another corner and suddenly the deadlock was broken.
Ludden’s superb delivery was headed off the crossbar by Clyde O’Connell but Anthony O’Donnell was perfectly poised to fire home the rebound to score his second goal of the season.
Ten minutes later, parity was restored when a delightful cross from Dylan McGlade was headed home by Cian Coleman and the scoreboard remained at 1-1 at the break.
Treaty began the second half with a sense of urgency and Clyde O’Connell had two chances to restore the lead within five minutes of the resumption, both of which were kept out by City.
Tommy Barrett’s men were subsequently awarded a free-kick and Ed McCarthy’s delivery was headed off the line before McSweeney’s shot went over.
Just after the hour mark, Treaty were almost punished for their inaccuracy as Cork missed two golden opportunities to take the lead.
Firstly, Cian Coleman’s header came crashing off the crossbar with the rebound falling to Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh who hit the post.
The clock was ticking, and with the game looking like it would end in a draw, Matt Keane was about to become a Treaty United hero.
Ludden was once again to the fore with a trademark long throw which found it’s way to Keane who found the net from close-range.
There was panic in the Treaty goalmouth late on as Cian Murphy blocked down a clearance by Tadhg Ryan but alas for Ryan, it went over the bar and Treaty held on for a narrow victory.
Treaty United: Tadhg Ryan; Marc Ludden, Jack Lynch (c), Anthony O'Donnell, Mark Walsh; Matt Keane, Edward McCarthy, Clyde O'Connell; Sean Guerins, Kieran Hanlon (Matthew McKevitt 65), Sean McSweeney.
Subs not used: Shane Cusack, Aaron Fitzgerald, Adam Foley, Shane Lowth, Callum McNamara, Alan Murphy.
Booked: Jack Lynch (34), Edward McCarthy (53).
Cork City: Mark McNulty; Jonas Hakkinen, George Heaven, Ronan Hurley, Uniss Kargbo (Cian Murphy 86); Alec Byrne, Cian Coleman, Darragh Crowley, Dale Holland (Cian Baragry 69), Dylan McGlade; Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh.
Subs not used: Jack Baxter, Luke Desmond, David Harrington, Paul Hunt, Issa Kargbo, Gordon Walker, Jamie Wynne.
Booked: None
Referee: Robert Dowling
Attendance: 0
ExtraTime.com Player of the Match: Marc Ludden
Ruaidhri Higgins appointed as Derry City boss https://t.co/1RxwSWywVjpic.twitter.com/wI1rFmfjrq
— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 23, 2021