Treaty United put to the sword by ruthless Dundalk at the Markets Field

TREATY United have been beaten by league leaders Dundalk on a scoreline of 7-0 in the SSE Airtricity League Men's First Division at the Markets Field. 

READ MORE: Three Munster Rugby players named in Ireland squad for Women's World Cup opener against Japan 

The first real chance of the game came Treaty's way after just six minutes when new signing Patrick Ferry, who has impressed for the Shannonsiders since his transfer from Finn Harps, latched onto a ball over the top. 

The Donegal native was beaten to it by Dundalk shot-stoper Enda Minogue, who bravely earned his side a free after clashing with Ferry, who was arriving at pace.

However, it was the travelling support who had reason to celebrate minutes later when Aodh Dervin's inch-perfect cross to the back post found the onrushing Daryl Horgan, who made no mistake in dispatching of the chance. 

The ex-Ireland international hit the crossbar with his initial effort but the rebound fell kindly for the former Preston North End winger, who tapped the ball into an empty Treaty net. 

Treaty responded well to that early set back and nearly levelled proceedings on 17 minutes. 

Mark Murphy did well to engineer himself some space in the middle of the park before feeding the ball to Lee Devitt who found Mark Byrne, unmarked in the Dundalk box. His header, unfortunately for Treaty, flashed over the bar. 

Horgan was a constant threat for the visitors, dangerous down the left-wing throughout, and that threat was realised once again in the 20th minute. 

This time it was right-back Conor O'Keefe who had the time and space to pick out Horgan at the back post and like his first effort, Dundalk's main man made no mistake, his bullet header giving Corey Chambers no chance in the Treaty net. 

As was the case with the first goal of the game, Treaty responded well and in truth, the deficit should've been halved on 24 minutes. 

A Treaty United corner caused consternation in the Dundalk box and in the end the ball fell to Ferry whose tame effort fell into the gloves of Minogue from close-range. 

Dundalk were in ruthless form and showed the class of potential champions elect after 30 minutes. A free kick was played short to the feet of Dundalk striker Gbemi Arubi who drove to the endline and stood up a cross to the back post. 

His effort deceived everyone in a blue jersey and ended up looping over Chambers and into the net. 

Things went from bad to worse for the Shannonsiders on 34 minutes when Evan O'Connor turned the ball into his own net after a cross from midfielder Eoin Kenny. Yet again, Treaty were unable to cope with the league leader's crossing from distance. 

With not much action in the final 10 minutes of the half, referee Daniel Murphy sounded for half-time, much to the relief of Tommy Barrett's side. 

Barrett made two changes at half-time with Christopher Horgan replacing Evan O'Connor and Fionn Doherty replacing Mark Murphy. 

The first real chance of the second 45' fell the way of the home side in the 54th minute.

Half-time substitute Chris Horgan (brother of Daryl) found Lee Devitt on the edge of the box, his effort just dragging wide of Minogue's left-hand post. 

Arubi almost grabbed his second of the night on the hour mark. The Dundalk number 11 took aim from just outside the box after neat build-up play. His effort, however, whistled past Chambers' post. 

Dundalk made it a five-star performance on 65 minutes when Vinnie Leonard headed in from close-range via a Daryl Horgan corner.

The league leaders compounded the Limerick side's misery with 15 minutes left to play. Substitute Rohan Vaughan headed home Daryl Horgan's sublime clipped cross. The former Wycombe Wanderers man oozing class with every touch of the ball. 

Dundalk showed no signs of slowing down as the half wore on. Horgan, Arubi and McDaid were posing a constant threat throughout. 

Dundalk scored a seventh from the penalty spot on 83 minutes after the away side were awarded a penalty following a Treaty defensive mix-up, which saw goalkeeper Corey Chambers yellow carded. 

It was Daryl Horgan who stepped up to score his third and his side's seventh of the night. 

There was no further goal mouth action beyond Horgan's penalty and referee Daniel Murphy sounded for full-time, much to the delight of Treaty United, players and supporters alike.

Next up for Treaty United is a trip to Donegal to face Finn Harps next Friday night in the Men's First Division. 

Treaty United: Corey Chambers, Evan O'Connor (Horgan HT), Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh (C), Ben Lynch, Mark Murphy (Doherty HT), Colin Conroy (Healy 72'), Connor Wilson (Boevi 85'), Mark Byrne, Lee Devitt, Patrick Ferry (Hanson 72').

Dundalk: Enda Minogue, Conor O'Keefe (Paraschiv 79'), Mayoma Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, John Ross Wilson, Harry Groome (Garbett 67'), Aodh Dervin, Declan McDaid (Ward 67'), Eoin Kenny (Ebbe 67'), Daryl Horgan, Gbemi Arubi (Vaughan 67').

REFEREE: Daniel Murphy