Treaty United play out scoreless draw with Kerry FC at Markets Field

TREATY United's winless run in the SSE Airtricity League First Division has been extended to six games following a scoreless stalemate at home to Munster rival Kerry FC in front of a crowd of 1,506 at the Market's Field this Friday evening.

The Limerick-based side’s impressive start to the season has been curtailed recently by a dip in form seeing them come into this Munster Derby winless in five.

Visitors Kerry arrived at the Market’s Field unbeaten in six, looking to build on their first-ever home league win last week.

The Shannonsiders started like a team with a point to prove and within seconds of the kick- off struck the crossbar after Byrne volleyed Doherty’s cross from the left.

A frantic opening saw a number of Treaty penalty shouts before Kelliher’s driving shot troubled the home defence. Moments later some lovely build-up play and a deflected shot from Devitt had Tuta scrambling for his post in the Kerry goal.

Christopher’s header then came close but it looped narrowly wide.

As the game's intensity lulled it was the visitors who should’ve taken the lead. Teahan sliced his effort from yards out over the crossbar before immediately after the ever-troublesome Kelliher dragged his header inches wide of the post.

On the stroke of half-time, Mahdy curled his effort over after some more good build-up play, sending the sides in scoreless at the interval.

The second half began in the same chaotic manner as the first. The Shannonsiders came inches away with Devitt’s volley just seconds after the restart.

The Kingdom responded immediately with Healy forcing a reflex save from Chambers.

Devitt then forced a huge save from Tuta after a Mahdy lofted cross before Chambers again came to the rescue for the home side making a diving save with his outstretched ankle from a point-blank shot.

Teahan then broke the Treaty line shortly after but he rifled his shot off the crossbar.

Kerry should’ve again broken the deadlock after a rapid counter from a Treaty corner forced Chambers to make an outstanding double save to deny Brosnan and Okwute. A rasping shot from McCarthy shortly after stung the gloves of Chambers.

Despite plenty of goalmouth action, the spoils of this evening’s Munster Derby were shared. Treaty United now travel to the Carlisle Grounds to take on play-off rivals Bray Wanderers next week while Kerry welcome Athlone Town to Tralee.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben O’Riordan, Oisin O’Reilly (Sean Costelloe 67), Lee Devitt, Stephen Christopher, Scott Kirkland (Alec Byrne 62), Evan O’Connor (Robbie Lynch 45), Fionn Doherty (Thomas Considine 62), Mark Walsh, Yousef Mahdy, Mark Byrne (William Armshaw).

Kerry FC: Antonio Tuta, Sean O’Connell, Andrew Spain, Ethan Kos (Cian Brosnan 69), Ronan Teahan, Ryan Kelliher (Victor Udeze 86), Daniel Okwute, Steven Healy (Graham O’Reilly 73), Kevin Williams, Samuel Aladesanusi, Daire McCarthy.

Referee: Daniel Murphy.