Gritty Treaty United secure draw with First Division champions Cork City

TREATY United played out an entertaining 1-1 draw against champions Cork City in desperate conditions in this evening's SSE Airtricity League First Division Munster Derby in Turners Cross.

Eighth-placed Treaty maintain their record of being the only side unbeaten by First Division champions Cork having secured their fourth draw against the Leesiders this season amid swirling wind and rain.

Lee J Lynch, Steven Healy, and goalkeeper Corey Chambers all returned to Tommy Barrett’s starting XI having missed out on last week’s 3-1 defeat of Longford Town. Top scorer Lee Devitt started on the right flank having scored three in his previous two outings.

Lynch had the game’s first chance inside the opening 90 seconds. His venomous strike stung the gloves of Brad Wade in the city goal.

However, just a minute later, Lynch gave the visitors the lead having found himself in space on the edge of the box before rifling his shot to the back of the net, giving the Shannonsiders the perfect start.

The Rebels responded with former Rep of Ireland international Sean Maguire, dribbling his way through several Treaty defenders before squaring his pass to Malik Dijksteel six yards out from goal. However, the Dutchman couldn’t get his shot away.

In the eighth minute, Maguire found himself in a pocket of space on the edge of the box having been set up by Cian Bargery. However, the Kilkenny man’s powerful effort was hit straight at Corey Chambers.

Lynch was pulling the strings from the middle of the park for the visitors, setting up chances for Yoyo Mahdy and Trpimir Vrljicak. However, on the quarter-hour mark Treaty were dealt a body blow as the Limerick midfielder was forced off through injury.

Lee Devitt tried an audacious effort from a distance in the 24th minute as a loose clearance from Wade fell kindly to him. Devitt, who has scored two chipped finishes in his last two outings had a go from 30 yards, but Wade was equal to his attempt, palming it away from goal and out for a corner.

Six minutes later, Devitt got on the end of a whipped cross from the boot of Oisín O’Reilly, but his glancing effort went agonisingly wide of the post.

It was Treaty again who looked the most threatening with Mahdy and Niko Kozlowski linking up in the 34th minute. Kozlowski unleashed a powerful low shot goalward but his effort was blocked by Wade’s feet to keep the score line at 1-0.

Five minutes from the interval, Dijksteel found himself unmarked in the box. The Dutchman’s powerful effort was destined for the top corner, but Chambers at full stretch made a spectacular save to preserve the Treaty’s narrow lead.

That was to be as close as champions Cork came in the first half, sending Treaty in at the break with a one-goal advantage.

Following the restart, Cork managed a couple of half chances through Ruairi Keating, Dijksteel and Maguire but all amounted to nothing.

In the 58th minute, Treaty 'keeper Chambers made a huge save from Maguire as the City attacker blasted a close-range effort forcing him to block the shot with his knees.

Maguire and Dijksteel had further chances for the home side before Evan McLoughlin rifled an effort that skimmed the Treaty crossbar in the 65th minute.

Chambers came to the rescue again in the 72nd minute. Dijksteel picked up possession after a marauding run from Matthew Kiernan before rifling a shot from close range, but it was again palmed clear.

The Rebels eventually got their equaliser and in came breathtakingly from the boot of former Limerick FC captain Cian Coleman in the 75th minute.

The centre-half found himself completely unmarked from an in-swinging McLaughlin corner and he thundered the
volley home to score his fifth goal of the season.

Cork pressed for a winner and would have had it in the 88th minute, but substitute goalkeeper Michael Dike made a smart save as the 17-year-old replaced the injured Chambers.

From the resulting clearance, Vrljicak picked up possession and unleashed a powerful shot after holding off his man, forcing Wade to make a crucial save as the game ended in a stalemate.

Next up for Tommy Barrett's men is the visit of UCD to the Market’s Field next Friday, 7.45pm.  Meanwhile, Cork will make the trip to the Midlands as they take on Athlone.

Cork City: Bradley Wade, Charlie Lyons, Matthew Kiernan, Cian Coleman, Cian Bargary (Cathal O’Sullivan 60), Josh Fitzpatrick, Arran Healy (Evan McLoughlin 60), Sean Murray (Greg Bolger 60), Sean Maguire, Malik Dijksteel (David Dunne 74), Ruairi Keating.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers (Michael Dike 84), Richkov Boevi, Evan O’Connor, Oisin O’Reilly, Lee Devitt, Steven Healy (David Tarmey 84), Lee Lynch (Niko Kozlowski 15), Christy Horgan, Colin Conroy, Yoyo Mahdy (Mark Walsh 69), Trpimir Vrljicak.

Referee: Jason Moore