- Éanna Mackey
- Sat, Jul 27 2024
Eanna Mackey reports from The Markets Field.
Dominant Treaty United reignited their promotion play-off hopes following an impressive 1-0 victory over Finn Harps in the First Division at the Markets Field on Friday evening.
Eighth-placed Treaty welcomed Harps to Limerick on the back of a dramatic penalty shootout victory over non-league Kilbarrack United in the FAI Cup last week while fourth-place Harp’s made the long journey south for their third trip to Munster in as many weeks, having endured consecutive away defeats to Cork City.
The first chance of the game fell to the home side in the 17th minute as Treaty had not one but two shots cleared off the goal-line in immediate succession as a long throw fell to Enda Curran at the back post but his efforts were somehow kept out by the Harps defence.
Four minutes later Treaty again had a flurry of chances that somehow stayed out. Curran got on the end of a Mark Byrne cross to force a reflex save from Timo Heimer before following up with two rebound shots which Hiemer was equal to. Lee Devitt headed over as Harps scrambled to keep the ball out.
In the 25th minute, Hiemar was again called to action as Byrne and Lee Lynch linked up well to split the Harps's defence before the latter unleashed a shot that was palmed clear.
Just two minutes later, Curran had the latest Treaty chance as he deftly touched down Lynch’s inch-perfect cross before dragging his placed effort inches past the post and the well-beaten Hiemer. Devitt was next to have a go but he dragged his freekick well wide.
On the stroke of half-time, Harps almost took the lead in their first effort of the game. An in swung corner found its way to the unmarked Mark Mackinson but the defender's header went just wide.
Sean Patton forced a good save from Corey Chambers shortly after the restart when Treaty midfielder Stephen Christopher played himself into trouble presenting the Harps attacker with the opportunity but his effort was straight at Chambers.
The Shannonsiders took a deserved lead in the 50th minute as Mark Mackinson fouled Mark Byrne in the box. Curran stepped up and rifled the spot kick home.
Harps tried to respond with half chances through David Cawley, Ryan Rainey, and Max Hutchinson but all proved fruitless as the Donegal men continued to struggle to get into the game. Patton again tried his luck in the 85th minute but he blasted his effort from a tight angle narrowly wide and into the side netting.
Moments later Jamie Watson went close with a flicked-on long throw before a late Harps free kick was blocked by the Treaty. From the resulting flurry, Thomas Considine broke for Treaty but he dragged his effort wide.
The result places Tommy Barrett’s men six points behind the play-offs as they welcome table toppers and arch-rivals Cork City to the Markets Field next Friday. Meanwhile, Harps will turn their attention to the visit of Bray Wanderers to Ballybofey.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Mark Byrne, Stephen Christopher (Thomas Considine 82), Enda Curran (Yoyo Mahdy 71), Lee Devitt, Fionn Doherty, Steven Healy, Lee Lynch, Robbie Lynch, Evan O’Connor, Ben O’Riordan
Finn Harps: Timo Hiemer, David Cawley (Max Hutchinson 79), Success Edogun (Aaron McLaughlin 79), Gavin Gilmore (Ryan Rainey 60), Matthew Makinson, Gavin McAteer (Stephen Doherty 60), Tony McNamee, Luke O’Brien (Patrick Ferry 60), Sean Patton, Conor Tourish, Jamie Watson.
Referee: Rob Hennessy.
Attendance: 674.
