Treaty United end lengthy winless run with precious league victory over Longford

MARK Byrne was the hero in Treaty United’s 1-0 win over Longford Town in the SSE Airtricity League First Division in front of an attendance of 738 at the Markets Field on Friday night, a result which ended their 14-game winless run.

Treaty's first win of the campaign since the start of March sees the side sit in eighth place in the table, but Tommy Barrett's charges are seven points off the promotion play-off places, the final one of which is occupied by fifth-placed Bray Wanderers.

Treaty will return to action on Bank Holiday Monday when making the trip to Mounthawk Park to face Kerry FC in a crucial Munster derby, 5pm.

Bottom-placed Longford arrived in Limerick with just two league wins to their name - including a 2-1 victory over their hosts earlier this month.

In a sun-drenched Market’s Field, it wasn’t until the 12th minute that the game had its first shot, albeit a tame effort from Longford winger Francis Campbell.

Ten minutes later Tommy Barrett's Treaty side had their first sniff at goal as Lee Devitt’s whipped free-kick was flicked narrowly
behind for a corner by Shane Elworthy.

A glorious chance then fell to Treaty's Mark Byrne in the 37th minute following a lofted pass from Devitt. Byrne found himself clear through on goal, but he drove his shot over the bar from just inside the box.

On the stroke of half time, Byrne again found himself on the end of a Devitt cross but this time his effort was well saved by former Treaty shot-stopper Jack Brady.

Longford attacker Karl Chambers then drove an effort from distance shortly after the restart, but it never troubled Treaty's Chambers in the home side's goal.

In the 61st minute, a loud round of applause sounded around the Markets Field as talisman Enda Curran made his long-awaited return from injury.

Just moments later a Mark Byrne cross almost found its way into the Longford net, but neither Curran nor Evan
O’Connor could direct their follow-up efforts goalward.

Down the other end, Campbell’s driving run goalwards ended with his effort sailing harmlessly over the crossbar.

In the 74th minute, visitors Longford were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the Treaty penalty area, but Conor Crowley’s low driven shot was well saved by Chambers.

From the counter-attack, Byrnes’ goal-bound effort was well blocked before Willie Armshaw’s follow-up attempt was driven well over.

Four minutes later, Mo Boudiaf forced a diving save from Chambers from his shot from distance.

Then in the 81st minute, Mark Byrne scored the decisive goal. Brady failed to claim the in-swinging corner and Byrne was alive to pounce on the loose ball and drive it to the net.

The goal ensured the home side collected the three precious league points on offer. 

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Ben O’Riordan, Colin Conroy, Robbie Lynch (Enda Curran 61), Evan O’Connor, William Armshaw (Adam O’Halloran 79), Lee Devitt, Alec Byrne (Leon Kirrane 61), Mark Byrne, Stephen Christopher, Fionn Doherty (Scott Kirkland 55).

Longford Town: Jack Brady, Jordan Tallon, Dean O’Shea, Kyle O’Connor, Shane Elworthy, Mo Boudiaf, Conor Crowley, Francis Campbell, Luke Wade-Slater (Emmanuel James 28), Jordan Adeyemo, Karl Chambers (Guilherme Priosti 84).

Referee: Lucas Keating