Treaty United's winning league run ended by leaders Galway United

TREATY United’s four game winning run came to an end in the Markets Field on Friday evening as First Division leaders Galway United produced a resilient performance to run out comfortable 3-0 winners in the Garryowen venue.

First half goals from David Hurley, a penalty, and Francely Lomboto had Galway 2-0 up at the break, before Treaty, who were reduced to 10 men for the final half hour, held their own in the second half until substitute Ibrahim Keita finished from close-range to make it 3-0, all while the hosts ultimately failed to breakdown a defensively robust Galway side.

Sixth-placed Treaty, who were in search of their fifth League win in-a-row, made three changes from their impressive 3-0 away win against Longford Town, with the suspended Ben O’Riordan being replaced by Stephen Christopher, and with Martin Coughlan and Colin Conroy coming into the starting XI instead of Willie Armshaw and Conor Barry.  

Galway made two forced changes to their lineup as Maurice Nugent and Robert Manley came in for the suspended Robert Slevin and Stephen Walsh.

With just 10 minutes on the clock, Enda Curran felt he should have had a penalty after he went to the ground inside the box, but referee Chris Sheehan quickly dismissed shouts from the former Galway striker that he was pushed after he took control of a Dean George flick on.  

Treaty’s first real chance of the game came three minutes later but Martin Couglan’s low effort on goal was blocked by Galway United defender Conor O’Keeffe and deflected wide for a corner.

To the disbelief of the Treaty players, Galway were awarded a penalty after 21 minutes when Andy Spain was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box as he tried to clear the ball.

David Hurley made no mistake and sent Treaty ‘keeper Shane Hallahan the wrong way to open the scoring.

John Caulfield’s men doubled their lead three minutes before half time. Treaty lost possession in the middle of the field before Galway fully capitalised when the pacy Francely Lomboto coolly tapped home from close-range after an excellent Ryan Manley low cross beat the home defence.

After the restart, Galway, as expected with any Caulfield side, were resilient, and Tommy Barrett young charges found it very difficult to break the visitors down in search of their all-important opening goal.

And as if Treaty’s task wasn’t already a mammoth one, the hosts were reduced to 10 men on the hour mark when Spain was shown his marching orders after a trip on former Treaty midfielder Ed McCarthy just outside the penalty area.

The Treaty centre back had first been booked on the half hour mark when he stopped a breakaway attack, pulling Lomboto to the ground as the Galway winger looked like he was through on goal.

Galway held on to the ball well for the remaining half hour, albeit sucking the life out of any attempted attack for Treaty, to secure all three points and remain 10 points clear at the top of the First Division table.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, McCarthy looked like he had scored Galway’s third, but much to Hallahan’s delight the ball struck the crossbar and went over for a goal kick.

Galway ultimately got their third goal in injury time – substitute Ibrahim Keita turned the Treaty defence to slot home from close-range after Steven Healy’s shot was blocked. 

In what was a positive for Tommy Barrett during what was a difficult night for the Treaty manager, academy graduate Robbie Lynch made his senior debut for the club after he was introduced with six minutes to go.

Ahead of the visit of First Division strugglers Finn Harps to Markets Field next Friday, Treaty stay just outside the play-off positions after 15 games.

Treaty United: Shane Hallahan; Stephen Christopher, Darren Nwankwo, Andrew Spain, Marc Ludden; Martin Coughlan, Alec Byrne, Colin Conroy, Lee Devitt; Dean George, Enda Curran (capt). Subs: Conor Kelly for Coughlan (half time), Anto O’Donnell for Conroy (65 minutes), Willie Armshaw for Curran (68 minutes); Scott Kirkland for Byrne, Robbie Lynch for George (both 84 minutes).

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Conor O’Keeffe, Killian Brouder, Maurice Nugent, Regan Donelon; Conor McCormack; Ed McCarthy, David Hurley, Vincent Borden, Francely Lomboto; Robert Manley. Subs: Evan O’Connor for O’Keeffe (half time), Ibrahim Keita for Manley (66 minutes), Michael Walsh Rowe for Lomboto (84 minutes), Steven Healy for Borden, Michael McCullagh for McCarthy (both 89 minutes).

Referee: Chris Sheehan (Cork)