Treaty United share the spoils with neighbours Kerry FC in SSE Airtricity First Division clash

TREATY UNITED earned their first point of the 2026 First Division season following a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Munster rivals Kerry FC on Friday night at the Markets Field. 

It was a cagey opening 15 minutes in Garryowen, with both sides perhaps acutely aware just how important not falling behind early on was.

Colin Healy's Kerry side came into tonight's tie ninth in the table, whilst Tommy Barrett's charges were bottom of the pile in tenth position following defeats to Cork City, Bray Wanderers and UCD.

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The first real chance of note in the game came Treaty's way after 16 minutes when Robbie Lynch's cross found Ben Feeney in the box, Feeney took the ball down expertly in the box and struck towards goal but his effort was well saved by Harry Halwax.

Treaty would live to rue that missed chance minutes later Finn Barrett's cross found Ewan Lee who finished superbly at the back post.

Treaty nearly levelled proceedings almost immediately when Folarin Oyenuga dragged an effort just wide of Halwax's post.

The home side were again unlucky not to find an equaliser through Darren Nwankwo after 28 minutes.

A Treaty throw-in caused the Kerry defence all sorts of problems and Nwankwo was able to get a shot away on goal but was denied by Halwax from close-range.

The 'Super Blues' continued to probe as the half progressed, the lively Cian Curtis was trying to make things happen for the hosts but the score remained 0-0 after half an hour. 

Chances came at a premium for both sides in the final 15 minutes of the half and it would be 'The Kingdom' who would go into the break a goal to the good. 

Treaty almost had the perfect start to the second period when Ben Lee's deceptive through ball found the feet of Ben Feeney who rifled his effort against the post. 

Neither side were able to care out any real chances in the 15 minutes that followed. Half-time substitute Fionn Doherty was lively down the left after his introduction, delivering a couple of dangerous crosses into the Kerry box. 

The Markets Field erupted just after the hour mark when Cian Curtis' deflected volley evaded Harry Halwax and rolled into the bottom corner to draw the game at 1-1 on 66 minutes.

However, the Treaty faithful would not be cheering for long as Eric Koufie won the visitors a penalty moments later which was expertly dispatched by Cian Murphy after 68 minutes. 

Jevontae Layne almost made an immediate impact off the bench when he latched on to a ball over the top but his effort on goal was well blocked after 77 minutes. 

Treaty continued to push for an equaliser in the final ten minutes and Barrett's men were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute when Fionn Doherty was brought down in the Kerry box.

Curtis made no mistake from the spot, netting his second of the game to once again draw the sides level with little time remaining.

Darren Nwankwo flashed a header over the bar from a corner late on in what was the game's last piece of goal-mouth action. 

The result leaves Treaty sitting in tenth position as they pick up their first point of the First Division season. 

Next up for Treaty United is a trip to Donegal to face Finn Harps next Friday at 7.45pm. 

TREATY UNITED: Jack Brady, Ben Lynch, Cian Curtis, Ben Lee (Roy Lawlor 68'), Ben Feeney (Jevontae Layne 74'), Folarin Oyenuga, Darren Nwankwo, Mark Walsh (Fionn Doherty HT), Robbie Lynch, Mark Murphy (Ronan Manning 74'), Raphael Ohin (Steven Healy 74')

KERRY FC: Harry Halwax, Finn Barrett, Sean O'Connell, Killian Cantwell (C), Sean McGrath, Cian Murphy, Jonas Hakinnen, Luke Palmer (Eric Koufie 61'), Vincent Borden, Niall Brookwell, Ewan Lee