Treaty United suffer heart-breaking last gasp loss to Cork City in First Division opener

TREATY United hearts were broken on Leeside as a 92nd minute Ruairi Keating winner in the opening round of the SSE Airtricity League First Division secured a 1-0 win for league favourites Cork City at Turner's Cross on Friday evening.

The Shannonsiders were more than a match for the fancied Rebels, who were relegated from the Premier Division at the end of last season.

Manager Tommy Barrett named a new-look Treaty side following a number of high-profile departures in the off-season.

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Fan favourites such as Lee Devitt, Karl O’Sullivan, Evan O’Connor, Corey Chambers and Patrick Ferry all moved on following last season’s play-off defeat to Bray Wanderers, with new arrivals Ben Feeney, Cian Curtis and Raphael Ohin starting in their place in Friday's leage opener.

It was a youthful-looking starting line-up, with seven of Treaty's ten outfield players under the age of 22. Mark Walsh, new Ghanaian signing Ohin and goalkeeper Jack Brady provided the experience for the visitors.

Cork began the game with intent, but it was Mark Walsh who first tested the hosts in the opening minutes. The Rebels responded with chances through Ruairí Keating, Greg Bolger and a gilt-edged opportunity for Hans Mpongo on the quarter hour, but Treaty held firm as the home side piled on the pressure.

Ben Feeney almost silenced Turner’s Cross in the twenty-second minute with a brilliant individual effort. The former Athlone man dribbled into the City box only to see his shot rattle the bottom-right post. Seven minutes before half-time it was Feeney again who went close, this time glancing his header over the crossbar.

Immediately after the restart, Ohin threatened with a driven effort from outside the box. Moments later, Roy Lawlor saw his header drift narrowly over.

Then in the 54th minute, Mpongo again came close as the sides remained scoreless.

As the game opened up, Cork had the better of the chances. Greg Bolger struck the post, while Brady was forced into a fine save to deny Sean Maguire as the hosts turned the screw.

With 15 minutes to play, Maguire forced another magnificent stop from Brady, the Treaty keeper stretching full length to turn away a snapshot. At the other end, Treaty’s only effort during Cork’s dominant spell was a speculative Ohin shot that never troubled Conor Brann.

In the 85th minute, Fiacre Kelleher rose freely to meet Cillian Murphy’s lofted free kick but somehow failed to direct his header on target, with Brady rooted to the spot.

Two minutes into additional time, however, Cork struck the decisive blow. A driving run from Mpongo down the left flank ended with a square ball to Keating, who found a pocket of space inside the Treaty box.

The Westport native buried his shot into the bottom corner, the effort ricocheting off the post and in off Brady to seal a dramatic late victory.

A disappointing end for a youthful Treaty side, but Tommy Barrett’s men will have a chance to bounce back next Friday evening in the Markets Field when they entertain Bray Wanderers for the first time since last season’s play-off defeat.

Meanwhile, Cork City will travel to the sunny South East for a clash with Wexford.

Treaty United: Jack Brady, Ben Lynch, Robbie Lynch, Darren Nwankwo, Mark Murphy, Steven Healy, Raphael Ohin, Ben Feeney, Mark Walsh, Cian Curtis (Jason Folarin-Oyenuga 80), Roy Lawlor (Brian Cunningham 62).

Cork City: Conor Brann, Darragh Crowley, Fiacre Kelleher, Charlie Lyons, Rory Feely (Matthew Murray 80), Conor Drinan (Cillian Murphy 60), Greg Bolger, Josh Fitzpatrick, Hans Mpongo, Ruairi Keating, Sean Maguire.

Referee: Daniel Murphy.