Treaty United suffer frustrating defeat to Kerry FC in First Division

TREATY United fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Kerry FC in their SSE Airtricity League First Division fixture at Mounthawk Park on Friday night.

Kerry FCs German-born goalkeeper Tim Oliver Hiemer pulled off a string of top class saves to deny the visitors and end Treaty United's winning run in the league.

Treaty had been hoping to make it three wins on the bounce in the First Division.

The winning goal arrived in the 17th minute as Chris McQueen rose highest to power a header to the net.

READ NEXT: Fairview Rangers look to wrap up Limerick District League Premier Division title

Treaty created several decent openings, but Tommy Barrett's side could not find a way past home 'keeper Hiemer. 

The Markets Field-based side will feel that on their level of performance they deserved to take at least a point from the fixture.

Treaty United sit in fourth place in the First Division table, one point ahead of fifth-placed Wexford, but 10 points adrift of third-placed Bray Wanderers.

Next up for Treaty is a home date with UCD at the Markets Field on Friday next, May 16, 7.45pm.

Lee J Lynch and David Tarmey came into Treaty United's starting XI for Friday night's game in Tralee. Colin Conroy and Fionn Doherty came into Tommy Barrett's squad for the contest.

Home side Kerry created the first half chance but a fifth minute volley from Carl Mujaguzi was saved by Treaty keeper Corey Chambers.

Visitors Treaty then got on top for spell, but captain Lee Lynch was denied by the first in a string of top class saves by Kerry keeper Hiemer in the ninth minute.

Colin Healy's Kerry side then took the lead in the 17th minute when, off a pinpoint delivery from a Oran Crowe corner on the left, Chris McQueen, powered a header into the Treaty net.

Treaty fought back bravely in a bid to gain an equaliser. However, Mark Byrne was unable to find a way past Hiemer.

The Kerry side maintained their 1-0 advantage until half-time. 

Treaty created an excellent opening at the start of the second half when Ben Lynch set up an unmarked Mark Byrne. However, he volleyed wide of the goals.

The Garryowen-based side was on top in the third quarter, creating a number of good chances. However, the visitors were denied an equaliser when Karl O’Sullivan floated in a dangerous corner. However, McQueen headed off his goal line.

With 17 minutes remaining, Treaty created another good opening. However, half-time substitute and former Kerry striker Trpimir Vrljicak was denied by another top class save by Hiemer.

Hiemer also denied Treaty from a one-on-one situation with Lee Devitt.

It just wasn't to be for the Garryowen-based side as Kerry held on for victory.

KERRY FC: Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Alex Dunne, Chris McQueen, Oran Crowe, Carl Mujaguzi, Sean McGrath (Capt), Ronan Teahan, Daniel Okwute, Kevin Williams, Samuel Aladesanusi, Niall Brookwell. SUBS: Nathan Gleeson for Crowe (67), Abel Alabi for Teahan (injured 79), Joe Adams for Mujaguzi (89).

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chamber, Benjamin Lynch, Lee Devitt, Steven Healy, Lee Lynch (Capt), Mark Byrne, David Tarmey, Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch, Eoin Martin, Karl O’Sullivan. SUBS: Trpimir Vrljičak for Tarmey (half-time), N Kozlowski for O’Connor (81), Dean Owens for Byrne (81 mins) Valerii Dolia for Healy (90).