Treaty United get better of Kerry FC in five-goal fixture at Mounthawk Park

TREATY UNITED remain undefeated in three games, thanks to well-deserved 3-2 defeat of Kerry FC in their Airtricity League First Division clash in a rain-drenched and stormy Mounthawk Park in Tralee on Friday evening.

Tommy Barrett’s side responded well after going behind to a Sean McGrath's effort inside the first minute, with goals from Marc Ludden and Dean George putting the visitors 2-1 up at the break, before Enda Curran scored his third chipped goal in as many games to secure the win for Treaty.

Leo Gaxha scored a superb injury time goal for Kerry, but it was too little too late as Treaty held out for their second-ever win over the league newcomers.

Heading into this Munster Derby, both Kerry FC and Treaty United named unchanged sides from their respective games against Galway and Bray Wanderers a week previously.  

Basement side Kerry remain winless in Mounthawk Park while Treaty, who now have seven points from their last three games, jump up to sixth-place and are now just three points off the promotion play-off positions.

Treaty, aided by a very strong wind in the opening half, were a goal down after just 30 seconds when Sean McGrath took full advantage of a spilled ball after Nathan Gleeson shot to rebound into the back of the net.

Gleeson had done well to win possession from Marc Ludden after the Treaty left back slipped trying to carry the ball out of the defence before McGrath was quickest to pounce on after Shane Hallahan parried the Kerry winger’s original curling effort.

Three minutes later, Ludden almost made amends for his earlier mistake, using the strong win to his advantage, but the Treaty captain’s almost near-perfect effort landed on the crossbar much to the delight of Callan Scully in the Kerry FC goal.

With Treaty starting to get a stronghold on the game at this stage, Curran should have had equalised but the in-form striker, who stood 20 yards behind the Kerry defence and found himself in acres of space, failed to take advantage of an inch-perfect kick out from Hallahan as Scully saved low to deny the former Galway United man.

On the 15th minute mark, Hallahan superbly saved a curling effort from the lively Gleeson. Kerry subsequently had a shout for handball straight away, but referee Chris Sheehan brushed off claims that Ben O’Riordan had blocked a Ronan Teehan rebounded effort.

A minute later, Curran had the ball in the back of the net, but his headed effort was adjudged to be offside.

Treaty got their equaliser in the 23rd minute when Ludden used the elements fully to his advantage to whip a beautifully taken corner over the head of a stranded Scully and into the far top corner of the net.

Four minutes later, Curran beat the offside trap after a long throw from Ludden, the Galway man squared the ball to George, but Scully was equal to the effort before Kevin Williams cleared the lines.

Treaty got their well-deserved second just after the half hour mark when Dean George beat Kevin Williams for pace before slotting the ball low into the far corner off his left foot.

After the restart, Kerry, now backed by the strong wind behind them, piled on the pressure, but Hallahan was equal to a series of quick-fire chances from the home side to keep Treaty ahead.

Four minutes shy of the hour mark, Hallahan superbly saved again, diving low to keep out a Sean O’Connell shot after the Kerry right back was set up nicely by Gaxha.

Tommy Barrett’s charges continued to weather the storm, both metaphorically and quite literally, before none other than Curran scored his third lobbed effort in three games, linking up well this time with George to chip the ball over outcoming Kerry goalkeeper Callan Scully -  the ultimate winner.

Kerry got a deserved late consolation goal as Gaxha fired into the back of the net with what is certainly a goal of the season contender, but promotion hopefuls Treaty held out for the all-important three points.

Next up for Treaty is a difficult home time against Waterford FC at the Markets Field next Friday evening.

Treaty United: Shane Hallahan; Ben O’Riordan, Andy Spain, Darren Nwankwo, Marc Ludden (capt.); Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy; Willie Armshaw, Stephen Christopher, Dean George; Enda Curran. Subs: Mark Walsh for William Armshaw, Jordan Tallon for Conroy (both 62 minutes), Colin Kelly for Curran (85 minutes)

Kerry FC: Callan Scully; Sean O’Connell, Kevin Williams (capt.), Samuel Aladesanusi, Cian Barrett; Matt Keane, Ronan Teahan; Cian Barrett, Sean McGrath, Leonardo Gaxha; Ryan Kelliher. Subs: Robert Vasiu for Barrett (64 minutes); Graham O’Reilly for McGrath (69 minutes); Cian Brosnan for Gleeson, Togor Silong (both 85 minutes)

Referee: Chris Sheehan (Cork)