- Éanna Mackey
- Sat, Jun 01 2024
Mark Byrne was the hero in Treaty United's 1-0 win over Longford Town in the SSE Airtricity League First Division, ending their 14-game winless run.
The Shannonsiders had been without a win since March 1, while bottom-placed Longford arrived in Limerick with just two league wins to their name - including a 2-1 defeat of tonight’s hosts earlier this month.
In a sun-drenched Market’s Field, it wasn’t until the twelfth minute that the game had its first shot, albeit a tame one from Longford winger Francis Campbell. Ten minutes later, Treaty had their first sniff at goal as Lee Devitt’s whipped free kick was flicked narrowly behind for a corner by Shane Elworthy.
A glorious chance fell to Mark Byrne in the thirty-seventh minute following a lofted pass from Devitt. Byrne found himself clear through on goal but he drove his shot over the bar from just inside the box. On the stroke of half-time, Byrne again found himself on the end of a Devitt cross but his effort was well saved by former Treaty shot-stopper Jack Brady.
Longford attacker Karl Chambers drove an effort from distance shortly after the restart but it never troubled Chambers.
In the sixty-first minute, a huge round of applause sounded around Market’s Field as talisman Enda Curran made his long-awaited return from injury. Just moments later, a Mark Byrne cross almost found its way into the Longford net but neither Curran nor Evan O’Connor could direct their follow-up efforts goalward.
Down the other end, Campbell’s driving run goalward ended with his effort sailing harmlessly over.
In the seventy-fourth minute, Longford had a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the Treaty box but Conor Crowley’s low driven shot was well saved by Chambers. From the counter, Byrne's goal-bound curled effort was well blocked as Willie Armshaw’s follow-up was driven well over.
In the seventy-eighth minute, Mo Boudiaf forced a diving save from Chambers with his shot from distance.
In the eighty-first minute, Mark Byrne scored the decisive goal. Brady failed to claim the in-swinging corner as Byrne was alive to pounce on the loose ball and drive it to the net.
Tommy Barrett’s men will now face a quick turnaround away to Munster rivals Kerry FC on Monday afternoon. Meanwhile, Longford will face another long trip south to face Wexford.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben O’Riordan, Colin Conroy, Robbie Lynch (Enda Curran 61), Evan O’Connor, William Armshaw (Adam O’Halloran 79), Lee Devitt, Alec Byrne (Leon Kirrane 61), Mark Byrne, Stephen Christopher, Fionn Doherty (Scott Kirkland 55).
Longford Town: Jack Brady, Jordan Tallon, Dean O’Shea, Kyle O’Connor, Shane Elworthy, Mo Boudiaf, Conor Crowley, Francis Campbell, Luke Wade-Slater (Emmanuel James 28), Jordan Adeyemo, Karl Chambers (Guilherme Priosti 84).
Referee: Lucas Keating.
Attendance: 738
