Treaty United battle back to share spoils with leaders Dundalk

FOR the second time this season Treaty United have drawn with table toppers Dundalk after their SSE Airtricity League First Division meeting at the Markets Field ended 1-1 on Good Friday night.

Both goals came in the second half; Yoyo Mahdy came off the bench for Treaty to cancel out Daryl Horgan’s opener in front of an attendance of 1,283 people at the Garryowen venue.

READ NEXT: Top-of-the-table Premier Division clash in Limerick District League action

Treaty still hold the distinction of being the only side to take any points off the First Division leaders this season. Their other meeting ended in a dramatic 2-2 stalemate at Oriel Park last month.

Tommy Barrett's Treaty side were awarded a free kick as early as the second minute when Harry Groome fouled Lee Devitt 30 yards out.

However, Karl O’Sullivan’s effort lacked conviction and was easily saved by Peter Cherrie in the Dundalk goal.

Dundalk fashioned their first meaningful chance with a free-kick of their own 20 minutes later.

Aodh Dervin’s teasing delivery found Vincent Leonard inside the box, the latter’s header was saved by Corey Chambers.

Dundalk threatened again on 25 minutes. Mark Walsh’s aimless clearance was collected by Harry Groome, but he missed the target completely from 20 yards out.

Treaty goalkeeper Chambers was then called into action two minutes from the break and denied Dundalk captain Daryl Horgan.

The 17-time Irish international connected with Dervin’s first-time delivery, but saw his header saved leaving the sides tied at 0-0 at the interval.

Horgan atoned for the missed opportunity on 69 minutes, however, with his second goal of the season.

The winger finished first-time to the net from inside the box after collecting Sean Keogh’s deflected left-wing cross.

Dundalk’s lead lasted only nine minutes, however, as substitute Yoyo Mahdy registered his second goal in as many games.

The Treaty striker tapped in at the far post after Trpimir Vrljičak’s half-volleyed effort deflected off Sean McHale.

It’s the first goal Dundalk have conceded in 380 minutes as Peter Cherrie’s run of three straight clean sheets ended.

Dundalk subsequently engineered two opportunities in as many minutes to regain the lead; Leonard and Eoin Kenny both missing the target with headed efforts.

Mahdy almost added a second goal two minutes into injury time, his 20-yard curling shot was repelled by Cherrie.

Dundalk had a chance of their own 60 seconds later, however Leo Gaxha’s shot was kept out by Chambers resulting in a stalemate.

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers, Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh, Ben Lynch; Eoin Martin, Steven Healy; Karl O’Sullivan, Lee Devitt, Mark Byrne (Trpimir Vrljičak 63); Joe Hanson (Yoyo Mahdy 63)

DUNDALK FC: Peter Cherrie; Conor O’Keeffe, Vincent Leonard, Mayowa Animasahun, Sean McHale (Sean Keogh 67); Harry Groome (Shane Tracey 67), Aodh Dervin; Eoin Kenny, Leo Gaxha, Daryl Horgan; Dean Ebbe (Keith Ward 67)

REFEREE: Eoghan O’Shea