Treaty United’s play-off hopes dented in Kerry
Kerry captain Sean McGrath gave his side an 84th minute lead. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Treaty United’s playoff hopes were dented on Friday night as Tommy Barrett’s side drew 1-1 with Kerry FC in Mounthawk Park.
It could’ve been worse, though. Sean McGrath’s goal six minutes from time looked to be the winner, but substitute Ben Lee found the top corner with his first touch in the final minute of regulation.
Colin Healy’s side will be happy with a point as they now look forward to the huge FAI Cup semi-final next Sunday against Shamrock Rovers, but for the Shannonsiders, although it’ll feel like a point gained, the gap back to Wexford in sixth gets narrower.
Kerry came out of the traps strong, though despite dominating the possession and creating a couple of half-chances for Adams, Brosnan and McQueen, the home side struggled to trouble Chambers in the Treaty net in the first 20 minutes.
Tommy Barrett’s side played their way into the tie as it wore on, but both teams were lacking attacking quality in the final third.
The away side’s best chance came with five to play in the half when Devitt broke through and squared for Ferry, who skied his close-range effort as the sides went into the break deadlocked.
The second half was much of the same, with both managers turning to their bench on the three-quarter mark.
With just over six minutes to play, and the game looking destined for a scoreless draw, up stepped Kerry captain Sean McGrath.
Finn Barrett’s long ball forward was flicked on by Luke Doolan to McGrath, who had plenty to do coming in from the right wing. McGrath worked a yard of space before unleashing a rocket into the far top corner, absolutely nothing that Chambers could do about it.
Despite creating nothing in the second half, Treaty United dug deep and found an equaliser. As the clock struck red, the ball broke to Benjamin Lee at the edge of the box, and the substitute, with his first touch, curled a shot right into the top corner to snatch a point at the death.
Darragh Foley; Finn Barrett, Chris McQueen, Daniel O’Connor, Ewan Lee; Oran Crowe, Arran Healy, Ronan Teahan; Cian Brosnan, Robbie Cleary, Joe Adams
for Kevin Williams for O’Connor (30), Carl Mujaguzi for Healy (HT), Sean McGrath for Crowe (65), Luke Doolan for Cleary (65), Daniel Okwute for Adams (78).
Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Mark Walsh, Richkov Boevi, Ben Lynch; Eoin Martin, Colin Conroy; Karl O’Sullivan, Mark Byrne, Lee Devitt; Patrick Ferry
Lee Lynch for Martin (66), Roy Lawlor for Byrne (66), Robbie Lynch for Walsh (76), Benjamin Lee for O’Connor (89).
John Sconnie Walsh
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