REPORT: SSE AIRTRICITY MEN’S FIRST DIVISION
MATCHDAY 4: Treaty United 2-2 Kerry FC
On Friday night, Kerry FC travelled to Limerick City as they took on Treaty United in the Markets Field for their second away game of the season. It was Kerry FC’s first Munster Derby of the campaign as the stakes were high straight from the off.
In the four league matches between the sides in 2025, the scales did not tip either way. A win a piece, and two draws meant that neither side had a bragging rights edge heading into this one. An eighty-fourth-minute equaliser from Ewan Lee for Kerry FC in their last trip to Limerick meant the spoils were shared late on in that encounter.
There was an added stipulation heading into the game. Both sides were yet to pick up a victory in the opening three fixtures of the season. Treaty have lost all three of their opening games, whereas the point picked up by Kerry FC last week at home to Longford Town had them both in dire need of a three-point bonus so that they don’t fall behind early on in the campaign. It was all to play for as a good crowd showed up in support for both sides in the Treaty County.
FIRST HALF
Kerry FC started brightly after the opening whistle, looking to move the ball quickly and apply early pressure in the Treaty half. In the second minute, a foul by Mark Walsh presented Kerry FC with a free kick in a dangerous position, though the resulting effort drifted narrowly wide of Jack Brady’s left-hand post.
The visitors continued to threaten as the half developed. In the thirteenth minute, Vince Borden delivered a low, driven cross across the six-yard box that flashed dangerously through the area, but Luke Palmer arrived just a fraction too late to apply the finishing touch.
Treaty United created their first significant opportunity in the fifteenth minute when Ben Feeney drove a shot toward the near post. Kerry goalkeeper Harry Halwax reacted sharply, producing a strong save to keep the scores level.
Kerry’s pressure paid off soon after. In the seventeenth minute, Finn Barrett delivered an excellent free kick from deep into the Treaty penalty area. The ball found Ewan Lee unmarked at the back post, and the midfielder made no mistake, smashing his finish past Brady to give Kerry FC a deserved 1–0 lead.
The hosts attempted to respond, but Kerry remained disciplined defensively. Sean McGrath was shown a yellow card in the twenty-sixth minute following a challenge in midfield.
Shortly afterwards, Halwax was called into action again, producing another impressive stop from close range to deny Darren Nwankwo.
As the half moved into its closing stages, possession was shared between the sides with few clear-cut chances created. Kerry remained organised at the back and carried their advantage into the interval after two minutes of added time, leading 1–0 thanks to Lee’s well-taken goal.
SECOND HALF
Treaty United began the second half with greater urgency, searching for an equaliser. In the forty-sixth minute, Ben Feeney struck from a tight angle on the right side of the box, but his effort clipped the outside of the post and went behind, relieving the pressure on Halwax’s goal.
The pattern of the game settled into a balanced contest, with both teams enjoying spells of possession without creating clear opportunities. Kerry introduced Eric Koufie in the sixty-first minute, replacing Luke Palmer as the visitors looked to maintain their attacking threat.
However, Treaty United drew level shortly afterwards. In the sixty-fifth minute, Cian Curtis met a loose ball on the edge of the area and struck a half-volley that took a slight deflection before beating Halwax to make it 1–1.
Kerry responded almost immediately. In the sixty-seventh minute, substitute Eric Koufie was brought down inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Cian Murphy stepped up in the sixty-eighth minute and calmly slotted his penalty into the bottom right corner, sending Brady the wrong way and restoring Kerry’s lead while also marking his first competitive goal for the club.
The visitors worked hard to protect their advantage as the game entered its final stages. In the seventy-seventh minute, a high, looping ball into the Kerry area threatened to reach Darren Nwankwo, but captain Kilian Cantwell reacted well to clear the danger for a corner, which eventually came to nothing.
Kerry FC continued to defend resolutely, though Eric Koufie received a yellow card in the eighty-third minute during a tense closing spell.
Treaty United found their equaliser late in the match. In the eighty-ninth minute, the referee awarded the home side a penalty after Ewan Lee was adjudged to have fouled Fionn Doherty inside the area. Cian Curtis stepped forward and converted from the spot to bring the game level at 2–2.
Kerry made a final change in the ninetieth minute, with Kieran Cooney replacing Sean McGrath as the visitors looked to see out the remaining moments.
Despite both sides pushing in the closing stages, neither team could find a decisive third goal. The referee brought proceedings to an end shortly afterwards, with Kerry FC taking a point from a competitive encounter at the Markets Field. The Kingdom now turns its attention to Ferrycarrig Park as they face Wexford FC away once again next Friday.
Treaty United Team: Jack Brady; Ben Lynch, Cian Curtis (GOAL ‘66, PEN ‘90), Ben Lee, Jason Folarin Oyenuga, Darren Nwankwo, Mark Walsh, Robbie Lynch, Mark Murphy, Raphael Ohin.
Used Subs: Steven Healy, Jevontae Layne, Roy Lawlor, Fionn Doherty, Ronan Manning.
Kerry FC Team: Harry Halwax; Finn Barrett, Sean O’Connell, Kilian Cantwell (C), Sean McGrath, Cian Murphy (GOAL PEN ‘68), Jonas Häkkinen, Luke Palmer, Vince Borden, Niall Brookwell, Ewan Lee (GOAL ‘17).
Used Subs: Eric Koufie, Kieran Cooney