Dundalk FC held to a draw by Treaty United

Dundalk FC saw their advantage at the summit of the SSE Airtricity League First Division trimmed to five points after being held to a 1-1 draw by Treaty United in Limerick.

Following a tepid first half, the visitors seized the initiative in the second period through captain Daryl Horgan. However, their joy was short-lived, as Yousef Mahdy struck to earn a share of the spoils for the home side.

It was Treaty who carved out the game’s first opening just three minutes in, as Karl O’Sullivan’s well-struck free-kick was comfortably gathered by Peter Cherrie between the posts.

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From there, the momentum swung firmly in Dundalk’s favour. Aodh Dervin delivered a delicate, floating free-kick into the area, which was met powerfully by Vinnie Leonard’s head, only for Treaty goalkeeper Corey Chambers to react sharply and smother the danger.

Dundalk continued to press. Leo Gaxha’s inviting cross caused panic in the Treaty defence and, with the clearance incomplete, Harry Groome pounced—only to see his strike rise harmlessly over the bar.

Dervin was emerging as Dundalk’s chief orchestrator, and his teasing cross from the right picked out Horgan lurking at the back post. Yet the captain, under pressure, could only steer his close-range effort over.

The final chance of the half again stemmed from Dervin’s delivery. Three minutes before the interval, he whipped in another precise ball, and once more it found Horgan—this time diving to meet it—but Chambers was alert to the threat, producing a fine save to ensure the sides went in level at 0-0.

In the second half, Horgan’s effort was safely deflected into the waiting arms of Chambers, while Groome’s long-range strike stung the hands of the Treaty goalkeeper.

The Lilywhites broke the deadlock in the 69th minute when substitute Sean Keogh delivered a teasing cross that was only partially cleared, allowing Horgan to pounce and prod the ball home, giving the league leaders a 1-0 advantage.

Their lead was short-lived, however, as Treaty drew level just nine minutes later. Substitute Mahdy reacted quickest to a loose ball, finishing from close range after Trpimir Vrljicak’s shot had been dramatically cleared off the line by Vinnie Leonard.

Dundalk had a chance to snatch all three points late on, but Keith Ward’s precise delivery from the left found the head of Eoin Kenny, whose effort was calmly claimed by Chambers.

Both sides were left ruing missed opportunities in stoppage time, as Cherrie produced a stunning save to thwart Mahdy, while at the other end, Gaxha was denied by Chambers in the dying moments, preserving the stalemate to the final whistle.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh, Ben Lynch; Karl O’Sullivan, Eoin Martin, Steven Healy, Lee Devitt; Mark Byrne (Trpimir Vrljicak 62), Joe Hanson (Yousef Mahdy 62)

Subs not used: Carl Williams (gk), Richkov Boevi, Colin Conroy, Niko Kozlowski, Connor Wilson, David Tarmey, Benjamin Lee

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale (Sean Keogh 68); Harry Groome (Keith Ward 68), Aodh Dervin; Eoin Kenny, Leo Gaxha, Daryl Horgan; Dean Ebbe (Shane Tracey 68)

Subs not used: Samuel Safaei (gk), Luke Mulligan, Sean Spaight, Muhammad Haris, Andy Paraschiv, TJ Molloy

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea (Tipperary)

Attendance: 1,283