- Michael Cooke
- Fri, Apr 30 2021
Michael Cooke reports from Tolka Park
Treaty United’s unbeaten start to their inaugural season in the First Division continued following a dramatic 2-2 draw with Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
Kieran Red Hanlon’s opener separated the sides for most of the game before three goals were scored in a hectic injury time.
Ryan Brennan and Yousef Mahdy were on the mark for Shelbourne before Clyde O’Connell rescued a point for the visitors at the death.
Both managers named unchanged sides as Treaty manager Tommy Barrett gave a vote of confidence to the team that defeated Cork City while Ian Morris kept faith with the team that started the win over Cabinteely.
Despite bearing the underdogs tag, Treaty showed plenty of confidence in the opening half and they almost took the lead in the tenth minute when Matt Keane hit the post from just outside the box.
Mid-way through the half a Treaty onslaught resulted in a long-range free kick, where Marc Ludden’s delivery found Jack Lynch, but the Treaty captain headed wide.
Tommy Barrett’s men maintained the kind of defensive solidity they’ve demonstrated in recent matches and Shelbourne found it incredibly hard to break them down early on.
Treaty had conceded the fewest goals by any side in the division before tonight and it took the Reds over half an hour to register a meaningful shot on target as Glen McAuley’s effort was easily dealt with by Tadhg Ryan.
Moments later, the visitors found themselves in front when the Shelbourne defence failed to clear Ludden’s free-kick and the ball fell to Kieran Hanlon who scored the opener giving Treaty a 1-0 lead at the interval.
The Reds showed more attacking endeavour after the resumption as Glen McAuley and Shane Farrell tried their luck and both efforts were unsuccessful.
Ian Morris’ men almost restored parity in the 67th minute but were denied by the sheer brilliance of Tadhg Ryan.
Ryan first denied Michael O’Connor by saving his close-range header before stopping another effort seconds later.
The hosts were fully convinced the ball crossed the line, but referee Oliver Moran didn’t agree.
Shelbourne now had the visitors under incessant pressure and JJ Lunney and Yousef Mahdy both had chances to pull one back as the Reds came up short on both occasions.
Ian Morris rang the changes, bringing on John Ross Wilson and Ryan Brennan and the pair almost combined for the equaliser with three minutes left only for Brennan’s shot to be stopped.
Shelbourne were alleging a handball, but the referee didn’t agree and when Brian McManus subsequently missed a golden opportunity, a Treaty victory seemed highly conceivable, but that was before a frantic finish that saw Anthony O’Donnell pick up a second yellow card leading to his dismissal.
Brennan atoned for his earlier missed chance when he latched onto a free kick to steer home Shelbourne’s first goal in the first minute of injury time.
Five minutes later, the Reds’ appeared to have snatched a late victory when substitute Mahdy gave his side a one-goal buffer but there was time for even more drama.
Treaty were awarded a corner in the 97th minute as Ludden’s superb delivery found Clyde O’Connell who levelled the game in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Shelbourne: Brendan Clarke; Kevin O'Connor (c), Maxim Kouogun, Ally Gilchrist, Michael Barker (John Ross Wilson 56); Dayle Rooney (Ryan Brennan 56), Brian McManus, JJ Lunney, Shane Farrell; Michael O'Connor, Glen McAuley (Yoyo Mahdy 75).
Subs not used: David Toure, Sean Quinn, Kyle O'Connor, Alex Cetiner, Luke Byrne, Jack Brady.
Booked: Michael O'Connor (73).
Treaty United: Tadhg Ryan; Anthony O'Donnell, Jack Lynch (c), Marc Ludden, Sean Guerins; Mark Walsh (Dean George 76), Clyde O'Connell, Sean McSweeney, Edward McCarthy, Matt Keane; Kieran Hanlon (Matthew McKevitt 77).
Subs not used: Edmond O'Dwyer, Alan Murphy, Callum McNamara, Shane Lowth, Adam Foley, Shane Cusack, William Armshaw.
Booked: Matt Keane (11), Anthony O'Donnell (50) ,Mark Walsh (29) ,Anthony O'Donnell (93) Clyde O'Connell (91).
Sent off: Anthony O'Donnell (93).
Referee: Oliver Moran
Attendance: 0
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Marc Ludden
