City come from behind twice to clinch a point in Limerick

By Donncha Noonan | Photo: Kevin Barry Dorney

With the First Division title being one step close for City after their late win over Kerry two weeks ago, Barry Robson’s side came back from their two week break looking to continue their winning form as they travelled to play Treaty United. After going behind twice, City came back level both times to scrape a two-all draw.

The City boss made just two changes from that win against Kerry, with Harry Nevin and Niall O’Keeffe coming in for Charlie Lyons and Greg Bolger.

Tommy Barrett made six changes to his side that lost two weeks ago against Cobh. Cian Curtis, Mark Byrne, Kyle Foley, Mark Murphy, Colm Whelan and Dare Kareem all made way from the side, being replaced by Steven Healy, Ben Feeney, Jason Oyenuga, Brian Cunningham, Darren Nwankwo and Ronan Manning.

It didn’t take long for the game to break open, as City had the first big chance of the game just three minutes in. Conor Drinan barrelled forward from midfield before slipping a lovely ball down the left channel for Cillian Murphy. He got to the byline before cutting the ball back across the box for Josh Fitzpatrick, who took a touch and fired past the keeper, but he could only watch as his effort was cleared off the line by Ben Lynch.

The previous close call did not throw off Treaty, as they responded emphatically by taking the lead eleven minutes later. Killian Cantwell picked up the ball and advanced from defence before laying a ball out right to Robbie Lynch who slipped the ball down the line to Ben Feeney. Feeney burst forward before dinking the ball to the back post, where the arriving Jason Oyenuga hit the ball on the volley, which bounced awkwardly over Conor Brann and into the back of the net.

City were visibly struggling at times during the first half, but that didn’t stop them going close again in the twenty-third minute. Ruairi Keating dropped deep to collect the ball before laying it off to Cillian Murphy. The youngster drove forward towards the Treaty defence yet again before slipping a ball through for Ruairi Keatingm who at an angle fired a shot from close range at goal, but his effort smashed against the side netting.

The visitors were anxious to get the game level before half time, and they had a good chance to do so in the thirty-seventh minute. Rory Feely floated a long ball forward from the back towards Ruairi Keating. He took it down and slid a ball through for Hans Mpongo, who latched onto it before trying to guide the ball past the onrushing Jack Brady, but the Treaty United shotstopper was able to keep the effort out.

That was all for the first half, in which City really struggled to get a string of good play together, which allowed the hosts to go into the break a goal to the good.

City started the second half better than they did the first, and it paid off as they levelled things up ten minutes into the half. Cillian Murphy played a nice one-two near the box over on the left wing, leading the latter to receive the ball pushing towards goal. Mpongo slid the ball across the six yard box where Seani Maguire was on hand to stick the ball home to bring the game back level.

Fast forward to the eighty-fifth minute where both sides were desperate for the winning goal, where it was finally found, and it went Treaty’s way. Colm Whelan picked up the ball on the counter and slipped a ball in behind for Dare Kareem to chase, where the loanee's shot was smothered by Conor Brann. The ball spilled off to the side, where Kareem was the first to reach it and released a shot on the turn which dribbled into the back of the net to restore the hosts’ lead.

This lead didn't manage to last too long though, as the Leesiders got back level once again three minutes later. Cillian Murphy floated a corner towards the back post, where it met the head of Matthew Murray who nodded the ball back across goal. It fell to Ruairi Keating, whose shot was stopped on the line, but Darragh Crowley was on hand to power home the rebound and claw City back in the game.

It was the visitors who had a chance to win it late on, but they were somehow denied in added time. Seani Maguire broke free with the ball from midfield and burst towards the box before playing it right to Keating. He advanced before cutting inside and unleashing a rifled shot off his left boot, but Jack Brady reacted excellently to keep the ball out.

And that was all she wrote for this matchup as City will be disappointed with the draw and point that they went home with. As much we all know we’re going up one way or another, it’s of course concerning when games like this occur. On the positive side, City’s struggles, especially in the first half, should prove as another alarm ball for management that we need a rake of new players next season if we want to be playing Premier Division football in 2028.

My Man of the Match is Jason Oyenuga. Despite being subbed with twenty-five minutes to play, Oyenuga caused issues for City whilst on. He was extremely explosive and good on the ball, keeping City’s defence on their toes, and even grabbing himself a deserved goal too.

Next up for City, they're back home as they host Wexford in a game where the Leesiders could possibly secure the league title if other games go their way. As for Treaty, they have a Munster derby ahead of them as they travel to face Kerry FC.