- Éanna Mackey
- Sat, Aug 03 2024
Eanna Mackey reports from Markets Field
Treaty United hearts were broken by a 97th minute Charlie Lyons equaliser as Tommy Barrett’s men were denied a huge victory over table-topping Cork City.
The Shannonsiders welcomed their arch-rivals to a sun-drenched Markets Field with thirty points and seven places separating them from the runaway league leaders.
The Limerick men are the only side that remain unbeaten by the Rebels having played out two draws earlier in the season.
The home side started quickly with Yoyo Mahdy registering a couple of half chances, the best of which came in the fifth minute when he curled his finessed effort high and wide of the post.
Four minutes later Evan McLaughlin forced a good save from Corey Chambers for Cork’s first effort.
In the 23rd minute, Chambers was forced to make a huge save to keep the game scoreless as midweek signing Ruairi Keating was put clear through on goal having been played in by Jack Doherty but the Treaty netminder managed to scramble his shot.
Chambers was again called into action in the 30th minute.
McLaughlin got the end of a training ground routine to unleash a powerful volley from the edge of the box.
Chambers at full stretch made a reflex save to put the ball out for a corner.
Stephen Christopher was next to have a go in the thirty-ninth minute but he drove his effort from a cleared Treaty corner well wide in what was to be the final chance of the half.
Treaty roared into the second period, taking the lead within the first minute. Mahdy, Lee Lynch and Mark Byrne all combined to slice open the Cork defence before Byrne unleashed his shot from a tight angle.
His effort flew past the helpless Bradley Wade to rattle the roof of the Cork net.
In the 60th minute, Mahdy came inches from doubling Treaty’s lead after Lee Devitt was fouled on the edge of the Cork box.
The Treaty striker’s subsequent free kick curled agonisingly wide of the post and the well-beaten Wade in the Cork
Nine minutes later Lee Lynch broke down the wing and picked out Byrne at the Cork back post.
The Treaty attacker unleashed a powerful shot goalward but Evan Mclaughlin made a brave block to stop Byrne's initial effort and follow up.
In the seventy-first minute, Greg Bolger had a go from range but his dipped shot was straight at Chambers in what was Cork's first effort of the second period.
Keating had a glorious chance to level the match in the 81st minute as he again ran clear on the Treaty goal but he dragged his effort well wide of the target.
With virtually the last kick of the game, Lyons latched onto the end of a desperate long ball to stroke the ball home to the raptures of the visiting fans behind the goal.
Next up for Treaty is a trip to Longford Town. Meanwhile, Cork will look to further cement top spot when they take on Athlone.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Lee Devitt Molloy, Robbie Lynch, Evan O'Connor, Ben O'Riordan; Mark Byrne, Stephen Christopher, Fionn Doherty, Steven Healy, Lee-J Lynch (Darren Nwankwo 90); Yousef Mahdy (Enda Curran 64).
Subs not used: Michael Dike, Jack Kavanagh, Christopher Horgan, Adam O'Halloran, Colin Conroy, Thomas Considine, Alec Byrne.
Booked: Ben O'Riordan (52).
Cork City: Bradley Wade; Cian Coleman, Darragh Crowley (Cian Murphy 73), Charlie Lyons, Evan McLaughlin; Greg Bolger, Sean Murray (Conor Drinan 79), Cathal O'Sullivan; Malik Dijksteel (Zachary Dunne 63), Jack Doherty (Josh Fitzpatrick 63), Ruairí Keating.
Subs not used: Aidan Dowling, Noah Sowinski, Matthew Kiernan, John O'Donovan, Harvey Skieters.
Booked: Charlie Lyons (15), Greg Bolger (53), Cian Coleman (55).
Referee: Ryan Maher.
Attendance: 1,241.
