Kerry move closer to the play-offs with win over 10-man Treaty

The win extends their unbeaten record at Mounthawk Park to 12 since they last tasted defeat.

Sean McGrath of Kerry FC in action. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kerry FC 3 Treaty United 1 

Kerry FC closed to within two points of the play-off places in the First Division after beating 10-man Treaty United in Tralee on Friday night. 

It extends their unbeaten record at Mounthawk Park to 12 since they last tasted defeat.

The game's opening goal came right on the stroke of half-time when Sean McGrath did well to battle and maintain possession on the edge of the Treaty area before finding a yard of space to curl a stunning effort into the top right corner.

On the hour mark of the tie, Treaty United got themselves back level in brilliant fashion. Ronan Manning stepped over a free-kick that McGrath gave away 22 yards out, and Manning finessed the ball over the wall and beyond Matt Connor in the Kerry net.

After the equaliser, it felt like all hell broke loose. 

Colin Healy immediately turned to his bench to introduce Ryan Perez for Robert Keane, and it proved to be a stroke of genius from the Kerry manager as Perez restored Kerry’s advantage with his first touch. 

Cian Murphy flicked on a long ball from Connor that found the Clare native, who, with his first touch, set himself and the second found the near corner beyond Jack Brady.

Moments later, Treaty United were reduced to 10 men. On the restart, Darren Nwankwo picked up a yellow card for a foul in the air, and just two minutes later, upon winning a free kick, he wanted to get play restarted quickly but shoved Cian Murphy to the floor right in front of the assistant referee, leaving the official no choice but to produce the second yellow card.

Kerry were quick to take advantage of the extra player and sealed the points four minutes later when Cian Bargary’s corner caused chaos in the Treaty box but was eventually knocked home by Niall Brookwell to wrap up the points and extend Kerry’s unbeaten record at home out to 12.

Kerry FC: Matt Connor; Samuel Aladesanusi, Niall Brookwell, Jonas Hakkinen, Sean O’Connell; Ewan Lee, Vincent Borden; Cian Bargary, Sean McGrath, Rob Keane, Cian Murphy.

Subs: Ryan Perez for Keane (64), Arran Healy for McGrath (76), Cian Brosnan for Bargary (89). 

Treaty United: Jack Brady; Robbie Lynch, Killian Cantwell, Darren Nwanko, Benjamin Lynch; Steven Healy, Colin Conroy; Brian Cunningham, Ronan Manning, Jason Oyenuga; Ben Feeney.

Subs: Colm Whelan for Conroy (54), Fuhad Kareem for Oyenuga (54), Billy Regan for Healy (80), Mark Byrne for Cunningham (80), Mark Murphy for Feeney (80).   

Referee: Daniel Murphy