Dundalk FC settle for a frustrating draw against Treaty

Dundalk FC were forced to settle for a frustrating 2-2 draw against Treaty United in the SSE Airtricity League First Division, following a dramatic finale at Oriel Park.

Dean Ebbe netted his second goal in as many games to hand The Lilywhites a first-half advantage, before Aodh Dervin then appeared to have secured the points on 80 minutes.

However, a chaotic spell in the dying moments proved costly for Dundalk, as Eoin Martin and Lee Devitt struck in quick succession to peg the score back to 2-2.

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Having maintained an unblemished defensive record across their opening three league encounters, The Lilywhites had braced themselves for a formidable challenge against a Treaty side that had so far netted more goals (10) than any other League of Ireland team.

Their task was further complicated by the absence of key personnel—goalkeeper Enda Minogue, defenders Conor O’Keeffe and Mayowa Animasahun, and winger Leo Gaxha, the latter serving a suspension after receiving a straight red card against Kerry last week.

It took 17 minutes for either side to launch a meaningful attack, with Dundalk midfielder Harry Groome having a shot from outside the box deflected wide by Colin Conroy.

From the resultant corner taken by Sean Keogh on the right, Eoin Kenny, still awaiting his first goal of the campaign, had a headed attempt bounce up and wide of the post.

The first sign of danger from Treaty came when Devitt’s shot across goal had reserve goalkeeper Peter Cherrie, in what was his first league outing since 2022, at full stretch.

Moments later, another Keogh corner was turned wide at the far post by Kenny, while at the other end, Connor Wilson fired over from the edge of the area for the visiting side.

Dundalk broke the deadlock on 27 minutes when Dervin, operating at right-full, delivered a beautifully weighted set-piece into the box. The Treaty defence failed to clear their lines, allowing Daryl Horgan to nod the ball back into the danger zone, where the ever-alert Ebbe rose to meet it, guiding his header home to give Dundalk a 1-0 lead.

Looking to extend their advantage before the half was out, a quick move saw Horgan find Kenny at the back post – but the Dundalk attacker could only blaze wide of the target.

The First Division’s leading marksman with five goals, Devitt’s free-kick attempt was easily gathered by veteran Cherrie in what was the Limerick side’s first effort on target.

Ciaran Kilduff’s side pressed for a second before the interval, carving out a handful of opportunities, with both Dervin and Horgan finding themselves in promising positions, yet their efforts failed to trouble Corey Chambers, who was keeping goal for Treaty.

In the second half, Treaty substitute Robbie Lynch had a shot that was easily gathered by Cherrie, however Devitt came much closer soon afterwards from Karl O’Sullivan’s set-up.

Aware of Treaty’s prolific scoring form in 2025, Dundalk sensed that a single goal might not suffice if they were to maintain their perfect start and secure a full 12 points from 12.

Keogh lifted a free-kick attempt wide of the target after Horgan had been fouled by Steven Healy, while substitute Norman Garbett also had an effort go wide of the mark.

Indeed, Oriel heaved a collective sigh of relief 10 minutes from time when Dervin’s long-range free-kick, seemingly innocuous at first, evaded everyone and nestled home.

However, in what was an incredible finish, Martin’s shot from range was fumbled into his own net by Cherrie to halve the deficit on 86 minutes, before Devitt, from a Martin punt up the pitch, added to his 2025 tally to head home a dramatic leveller for Treaty.

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Aodh Dervin, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale, Sean Keogh (Sean Spaight 90+1); Harry Groome, Andy Paraschiv (Norman Garbett 63) (Gbemi Arubi 72); Eoin Kenny, Keith Ward (Luke Mulligan 63), Daryl Horgan; Dean Ebbe

Subs not used: Samuel Safaei (gk), TJ Molloy, Shane Tracey

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Mark Walsh (Robbie Lynch HT), Eoin Martin, Richkov Boevi; Colin Conroy (Benjamin Lee 81), Connor Wilson (Steven Healy 61); Mark Byrne (Yousef Mahdy 61), Lee Devitt, Karl O’Sullivan; Trpimir Vrljicak (Niko Kozlowski 81)

Subs not used: Carl Williams (gk), Joe Hanson, Roy Lawlor, Christopher Horgan

Referee: Darragh White (Dublin)

Attendance: 2,264