Treaty United share the spoils with First Division newcomers Kerry FC

TREATY UNITED picked up their first point of their 2023 SSE Airtricity First Division campaign as ten-man Kerry held out to secure their first ever senior League of Ireland point after a 1-1 draw in Mounthawk Park in Tralee.

Treaty talisman Enda Curran cancelled out Sean Kennedy’s opening goal after half an hour but Tommy Barrett’s charges failed to break down the hosts in the second half after Andy Quaid saw red on the hour mark for his second yellow card.

Kerry started this historic Munster Derby the brightest and it took a scissor kick clearance from Anto O’Connell to deny Nathan Glesson the home side their first shot on goal with just three minutes gone on the clock.

Treaty responded well and looked dangerous three minutes later, but Dean George could only watch on as his headed effort sailed over the bar after the lively winger met an inch perfect cross from Ben O’Riordan.

Treaty’s resurgence wasn’t long lived however and Billy Dennehy’s charges took the lead in the ninth minute – an historic first ever goal at Mounthawk Park for the Kingdom – as Sean Kennedy scrambled the ball over the line after some superb work from former Sheffield United player Leo Gaxha.

On his second attempt Gaxha crossed from the end line before Kennedy was quickest to react, getting to the ball ahead of Andrew Spain to open the scoring in Tralee.

The impressive Gaxha was involved once again as Kerry had a shout for a penalty for dismissed by referee Eoghan O’Shea handball in the 26th minute but a quick counter-attack resulted in a superb save from Wayne Guthrie from a curling Dean George shot on goal after the Treaty winger was put through by Curran.

Treaty equalised just after the half hour mark with Curran getting Tommy Barrett side’s first goal of the season. The Treaty talisman was first to react after a Conor Barry cross hit the crossbar to send the large travelling supporters into raptures.

With six minutes to go before half time, Kerry midfielder Matt Keane denied his former Treaty teammate Enda Curran his second goal of the evening, clearing from inside the six-yard box to keep it 1-1 heading into the half time break.

Treaty had made two changes from their starting XI against Galway United with Shane Hallahan making his debut in goals and Dean George in in replace of Stephen Christopher.

It was 3,099 days since Hallahan last played League of Ireland football when he lined out for Cobh Ramblers before making the move to Munster Senior League side Cobh Wanderers.

After the restart, George eased past Williams to cross from deep to Barry. However, the former Galway United midfielder’s effort from the edge of the box drifted narrowly wide.

Ten minutes into the second half, Curran should have had his second goal of the evening after running onto a misplaced Guthrie kickout, but an excellent last-ditch tackle from Kalen Spillane denied the Treaty striker.

Kerry were reduced to 10 on the hour mark when Andy Quaid got a second yellow card for a late challenge on substitute Colin Conroy.

However, Quaid’s early bath seemed to rally the home side and minutes later, Gaxha sent his effort wide to the delight of Hallahan after an excellent over the top ball from Keane.

With 15 minutes to go, George was denied what was a certain goal with Kerry defender Kevin Williams clearing off the line. Barry’s rebounded effort drifted wide much to the delight of the 1,100 strong home support.

Kerry grimly held on for the remaining minutes for their historic first-ever points as Barrett’s men failed to make the breakthrough against a resilient home defence.

TREATY UNITED: Shane Hallahan; Ben O’Riordan, Anthony O’Donnell, Andrew Spain, Marc Ludden (capt.); William Armshaw, Lee Devitt, Mark Walsh, Conor Barry, Dean George; Enda Curran. Subs: Colin Conroy for O’Riordan (half time), Alex Byrne for Armshaw (65 minutes), Success Edogun for George (75 minutes), Martin Coughlan for Barry (81 minutes).

KERRY FC: Wayne Guthrie; Kevin Williams, Shane Guthrie, Kalen Spillane, Sean O’Connell; Sean McGrath, Matt Keane (capt.), Andy Quaid, Leo Gaxha, Sean Kennedy; Nathan Glesson. Subs: Graham O’Reilly for Shane Guthrie (63 minutes), Ronan Teehan for McGrath (65 minutes), Cian Brosnan for Gleeson (76 minutes).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea (Tipperary)