Youthful Treaty United exit Munster Senior Cup at hands of Kerry FC

YOUTHFUL Treaty United’s Munster Senior Cup journey came to an end after a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Munster rivals Kerry FC at a rain-swept Mounthawk Park on Monday evening.

In what was the sides second meeting in just 72 hours, both Ronan Teahan and Treaty debutant Mark Byrne exchanged goals inside the opening half hour, before a quick-fire double from the lively Seán McGrath gave the hosts a 3-1 lead at the half time break.

Half-time substitute Daniel Okwute extended Kerry's lead to three in the 49th minute, securing the win as a result, with a superb goal to set Kerry up for a Munster Senior Cup final against either Waterford FC or Rockmount AFC.

Treaty, who overcame Munster Senior League sides Carrigaline United and Midleton FC to reach this semi-final, handed first competitive starts to 17-year-old goalkeeper Michael Dike and new signing Mark Byrne.

A youthful Treaty started the game with a team with an average age of just under 21, making 11 eleven changes to the side that defeated Kerry three nights previously, and were trailing to a Ronan Teahan goal after just 13 minutes played.

Teahan, scoring his first senior goal for the Tralee-based club, took full advantage of a Nathan Gleeson cross to finish well from the edge of the box, giving Dike no chance in the Treaty goal.

Treaty grabbed their equaliser two minutes after the half hour mark. Treaty academy graduate and Croom native Leon Kirrane forced a save from Kerry goalkeeper Antonio Tuta, but the former Finn Harps netminder could only watch on as Mark Byrne was quickest to react.

However, two goals in as many minutes had Tommy Barrett’s young guns trailing by two goals on the verge of half-time with Seán McGrath grabbing both.

Playing into a gale force wind and rain, and facing a two-goal deficit, the second half proved to be a difficult task for Barrett’s charges.

And such a task was made even more difficult when lively winger Daniel Okwute put the result beyond doubt just five minutes after the restart with a brilliant finish to match his superb pacey run from deep to meet a quality pass from Steven Healy.

Bigger tasks lie ahead for Treaty, none more so than Bray Wanderers visit to Markets Field this Friday (7.45pm) as Barrett’s men look to maintain their 100% start to their First Division campaign.

Treaty United: Michael Dike; Robbie Lynch, Conor Carew, Mark Byrne, Fionn Doherty; Adam O’Halloran, Alec Byrne; Mark Murphy, Leon Kirrane, David Tarmey; Yolo Mahdy (capt.). Subs: Richkov Boevi for Mahdy, Sean Costelloe for Mark Byrne (both 61 mins); Nikodem Kozlowski for Kirrane, Mark O’Halloran for Doherty (both 70)

Kerry FC: Antonio Tuta; Victor Udeze, Kevin Williams (capt.), Samuel Aladesanusi, Ethan Kos, Seán O’Connell; Steven Healy, Ronan Teahan; Kennedy Amechi, Seán McGrath, Nathan Gleeson. Subs: Daniel Okwute for Amechi, Daire McCarthy for Aladesanusi (both half time), Finn Barrett for Teahan (63)

Referee: Chris Sheehan (Cork)