A late goal by team captain Tony McNamee secured another impressive away win for Darren Murphy’s Finn Harps at the Market’s Field in Limerick to end Treaty United’s unbeaten record and take over second place in the table.
The home side began the game in second place in the table but just ahead of Harps on goal difference, mainly built a strong defence which had conceded little in their opening five games.
Pictures by Joe Boland at Markets Field, Limerick.
After their scoreless draw at home against Kerry FC, Harps were hoping to continue their good away form. Harps were much the better team in the early stages and had Treaty under pressure, looking the more likely to make a breakthrough.
They went close to taking the lead in the 22nd minute and indeed should have but Neo Baba blazed his shot over the bar from just ten yards out.
Three minutes later another great chance for Harps but Patrick Ferry’s glancing header was saved by keeper Cory Chambers.
Mark Walsh blasted over the Harps crossbar in the 30th minute as Treaty began to finally show some intent.
Three minutes later Harps had the ball in the net but Patrick Ferry’s effort was ruled out for offside .
And three minutes after that a let -off for Harps as they scrambled a goalbound header off the line and moments later Ben O’Riordan headed over from a great position.
Treaty had the final chance of the half but Tim Hiemer produced a super finger-tip save and at half-time it remained scoreless.
The home side should have gone ahead five minutes into the second-half when former Harps man Yousef Madhy set up Stephen Christopher but he took a touch too many and the chance was gone.
Harps responded with a breakaway attack and brillant play by Success Edogun set up Stephen Doherty who shot wide but an offside flag had been raised.
Play swung from end to end after this with chances at both ends and Harps should have taken the lead in the 76th minute when Treaty defender Evan O’Conner gave away possession and Tony McNamee set up substitute Chris Lotefa who had just come on , but he was denied by a brilliant save by Cory Chambers .
However, a minute later Harps grabbed the lead when O Conner again failed to control the ball and Lotefa put Tony McNamee through and the Harps captain made no mistake as he buried the ball into the net , 0-1 to Harps.
Treaty huffed and puffed in their quest for an equalizer but Harps defended well and held on to take all three points.
Harps host Bray Wanderers at Finn Park on Monday evening and will be hoping for a big home-crowd and another three points. Kick-off is at 5-00 pm.
Treaty United: Cory Chambers , Ben O’Riordan, Robbie Lynch, Oisin O’Reilly , Scott Kirkland Alex Byrne (66mins), Mark Walsh, Evan O Conner , Thomas Considine (Shay Costello 87mins), Stephen Christopher (Mark Byrne 76mins), Yousef Mahdy ( William Armshaw 66mins), Enda Curran.
Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Conor Tourish , Shane McMonagle , Neo Baba , David Cawley, Tony McNamee, Stephen Doherty ( Ryan Rainey 80mins), Patrick Ferry (Chris Lotefa 76mins), Success Edogun .
