In-form Treaty United face quick-fire Kerry FC repeat fixture in Munster Senior Cup

HIGH-FLYING Treaty United make their second trip to Tralee in the space of 72 hours when taking on Kerry FC in their Munster Senior Cup semi-final clash at Mounthawk Park tonight, Monday, 7.45pm.

Tommy Barrett's Treaty United side secured a precious 1-0 victory over Kerry in the SSE Airtricity League First Division at the same venue on Friday night thanks to a goal from Yoyo Mahdy. The win, Treaty's third straight success of the campaign, ensured the side retained top spot in the First Division table.

Treaty United powered their way into the semi-finals of this season's Munster Senior Cup after recording a resounding 7-0 victory over Midleton FC at the Markets Field at the start of last month. 

Following Friday night's league win away to Kerry, Treaty manager Barrett was pleased to pick up the three league points on offer, but accepted his side's display could have been better

“I am happy with the three points,” Barrett told Limerick Leader Sport after the game.

“I wouldn’t be overly happy with the performance, but I am always happy with three points”.

Despite there being room for improvement ahead of tonight's return to Mounthawk Park  for their Munster Senior Cup semi-final clash with Kerry and his side’s home league game against Bray Wanderers on Friday, Barrett feels his young team had their share of chances against the Kingdom.

“I thought we should have been two or three goals up after the first 20 minutes,” he said. “They [Kerry] had the next 20 minutes when they could have scored a couple of goals. It could have been 3-3 at half time to be fair”.

“It was an even enough game in fairness. I wouldn’t say they deserved to win it, but a draw would have been a fair result. But, sure that’s the way it goes. We’ll take it.

“I think we did well all-round. We knew we’d get chances, and we kept a clean sheet.

“I thought we were in control for the last 10 minutes. They didn’t look like doing anything.

“Young Michael [Dike] will learn from that, coming out and giving away the penalty.

“Overall, I am happy with the three points.”

After almost 2,000 supporters packed into the Markets Field for the league opener against Cobh Ramblers, followed by two impressive away wins, Barrett is expecting yet another bumper crowd when Bray visited Garryowen this Friday evening.

“Obviously a difficult assignment for us,” he said. “We know Bray are a good side, they are a good attacking side in particular. There are goals in that team, but we are confident at the moment. But we can’t get too carried away either.”