Dundalk FC dismantle Treaty to surge clear at the top of the table

Dundalk FC surged eight points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division with just eight matches remaining, after dismantling Treaty United 7-0 at Markets Field.

The Lilywhites, who have now plundered 17 goals across their last three outings, stand as overwhelming favourites to seal automatic promotion back to the Premier Division—particularly after second-placed Cobh Ramblers were held to a 2-2 stalemate at home to UCD.

READ NEXT: Dundalk Darts | Carvill claims second successive Brother Eccles Cup

It took only 10 minutes for Dundalk to strike in Limerick. Aodh Dervin floated a ball into the area which broke kindly for Daryl Horgan. The veteran winger eluded Evan O’Connor, saw his header cannon off the post, but reacted sharply to bury the rebound.

Treaty offered a fleeting response when Mark Murphy’s nimble footwork freed Lee Devitt down the flank, his cross headed just over by Mark Byrne.

Moments later, Dundalk doubled their advantage. Horgan was again at the heart of the move, combining with Gbemi Arubi, Eoin Kenny and Conor O’Keeffe, before the latter whipped in a first-time delivery that Horgan tucked away from close range.

Despite Dundalk’s dominance, the hosts refused to fold immediately. Patrick Ferry twice threatened—first when a loose ball fell to him inside the box, forcing Enda Minogue into a sharp stop, and later with a half-volley from distance that skewed wide.

But on the half-hour, Dundalk struck again. JR Wilson’s incisive pass released Arubi, whose attempted cross somehow drifted into the net. The goal was met with fury from the home support, chants of “We want Barrett out” and “sacked in the morning” ringing out towards manager Tommy Barrett.

The visitors nearly had a fourth shortly after, Horgan blasting over following a neat exchange with Wilson.

O’Keeffe, meanwhile, was fortunate to escape sterner punishment for a rash challenge that gifted Devitt a promising free-kick, though the effort came to nothing.

The fourth did arrive on 35 minutes, Kenny’s low centre turned into his own net by the luckless O’Connor—compounding Treaty’s nightmare first half.

Dundalk sought further gloss before the break, but Dervin and Horgan both saw their attempts gathered by Corey Chambers.

The second half brought little respite. Horgan teed up Darragh McDaid for a long-range strike that Chambers held, while Minogue at the other end produced an outstanding fingertip save to deny Devitt.

Arubi later waltzed past captain Mark Walsh only to drag his shot narrowly wide. On 64 minutes, the floodgates reopened. Horgan’s corner was met powerfully by Vinnie Leonard, his header crashing home for 5-0.

Manager Ciaran Kilduff immediately shuffled his pack, and one of the substitutes, Rohan Vaughan, made it six just twelve minutes later, looping a clever back-to-goal header beyond Chambers.

Leonard came close again with a thunderous drive that shaved the post, while Norman Garbett saw an effort turned over.

The coup de grâce arrived on 83 minutes when Dean Ebbe was felled by Chambers, allowing Horgan to complete his hat-trick from the spot with consummate ease. Dundalk, rampant and relentless, march ever closer to the Premier Division—seven goals, and very much in seventh heaven.

Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor (Fionn Doherty HT), Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh, Ben Lynch; Colin Conroy (Steven Healy 72), Connor Wilson (Richkov Boevi 85); Mark Murphy (Christopher Horgan HT), Mark Byrne, Lee Devitt; Patrick Ferry (Joe Hanson 72)

Subs not used: Matt Boylan (gk), Roy Lawlor, Eoin Martin, Trpimir Vrljicak

Dundalk FC: Enda Minogue; Conor O’Keeffe (Andy Paraschiv 79), Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, JR Wilson; Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (Keith Ward 65); Eoin Kenny (Norman Garbett 65), Declan McDaid (Dean Ebbe 65), Daryl Horgan; Gbemi Arubi (Rohan Vaughan 65)

Subs not used: Peter Cherrie (gk), Sean Spaight, TJ Molloy, Shane Tracey

Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin)

Attendance: 975