By Emma Dineen
Treaty United and Kerry FC played out a 1-1 draw in a Munster Derby at the Markets Field on Bank Holiday Monday that, honestly, was more about grit than glamour. Patrick Ferry’s second-half header looked like it would hand the hosts all three points, but a late Kerry equaliser, initially credited to new signing Ewan Lee but later ruled an unfortunate Ben Lynch own goal, meant the spoils were shared after a bruising, chaotic finish.
Dean Owens knew exactly what he was doing — taking Ewan Lee down just enough to spoil the chance and stir the pot.
Now, I usually float somewhere between journalist and blogger in these features, so before diving into the on-pitch action, let’s give credit where it’s due: the off-field highlight was definitely the pop-up bar at the Markets Field. Treaty City Brewery were serving up their own lager and ale, and it really brought a nice buzz to the evening. Sure, if you were nursing a pint, you were happily penned in for safety reasons, but hey, it was a solid addition to the matchday vibe. Couple that with some decent weather, and you had a genuine atmosphere, which, let’s be honest, isn’t always a given on a Monday night.
First Half: Scrappy and Scoreless
Treaty came into this one with something to prove after a bruising last-minute defeat to Bray Wanderers, and a weekend full of drama that featured one of the most blatant non-red cards of the season handed to Steven Healy. In a rare win for common sense, that red card was successfully appealed over the weekend, so Healy was back in the squad. With all that drama and the fact Treaty had already lost to Kerry in their previous clash, this was a game they couldn’t afford to slip up on.
The Blue Army wasted no time bringing the noise and the drama from the off. Treaty started bright and nearly grabbed the lead inside the opening two minutes. A clever long ball over the top caught Kerry’s defence napping, but the resulting lob just drifted wide of the post. Meanwhile, the crowd was in full voice, firing off chants and cheeky jabs with a few handheld props supposedly in response to the recently released Kerry players, former PSG keeper Mathyas Randriamamy and Shane Maroodza, who had signed just days before getting cut. Honestly, that’s part of the charm of League of Ireland terraces, taking the mick is half the fun, especially when it’s Kerry on the receiving end, given all the legendary Blue Army chants about them.
The pitch looked a bit worse for wear, and Treaty took an early hit when captain for the night, Lee J Lynch, had to come off after just 24 minutes. As I’ve mentioned in previous features, Lynch is the heartbeat of Treaty’s midfield, take him out, and the whole engine stutters. His exit felt like a huge blow, especially so early in a game they desperately needed to win. Looks like it was another hamstring issue, one of those recurring injuries that’s been dogging him this season, and potentially a long-term headache at a crucial stage of the campaign.
Even with that disruption, Treaty kept the pressure on and created the better of the chances. Just after the half-hour mark, Robbie Lynch delivered a lovely ball into the box for Mark Byrne, who found space but couldn’t quite beat Kerry keeper Matthew Connor with his header.
There was a tense moment the other way when Kerry threatened a break, and shouts for a last-man foul echoed from the visitors’ bench. But referee John Sconnie Walsh wasn’t having any of it and let play continue.
Both sides went into the break all square, with Treaty just shading it in terms of attacking intent. Still, it wasn’t the most convincing display from the home side, especially with points needed after that frustrating draw against bottom-placed Athlone and the gutting loss in Bray just days earlier.
Second Half: Goals and Growing Tension
Kerry came out looking sharper after the break and nearly snatched an early lead. Sean O’Connell whipped in a corner that found Ronan Teahan unmarked at the far post, but his diving header just fizzed wide, close, but not close enough. A warning shot fired across Treaty’s bow, a shot they probably should have tuned into a bit more.
Then, at the 65-minute mark, Treaty finally broke the deadlock. Evan O’Connor floated a teasing cross from the right, and new signing Patrick Ferry timed his jump perfectly to glance it into the bottom corner. 1-0 to Treaty, another goal for Ferry’s tally and honestly, a home reward for a player who’s already making waves with his movement and presence.
Kerry didn’t roll over. Kennedy Amechi and Ewan Lee came close, pushing Treaty back and forcing them to dig deep in defense as the clock ticked down. Then came the sucker punch in the 85th minute. A long throw from Samuel Aladesanusi was tossed into Treaty’s box and wasn’t dealt with properly. In the chaos, Ewan Lee pounced to knock the ball home, though officially it’s been credited as a Ben Lynch own goal, who swapped his left back role for that of the centre with both Martin and Walsh sidelined, with the ball grazing his foot on the way in.
And then… well, that’s when all hell broke loose.
The spark? A Kerry counterattack. Ewan Lee bursts from his own box down the right flank. Treaty’s Connor Wilson took a wild swipe, missed completely. Lee kept sprinting and found Cian Brosnan, who pinged the ball back. Just before the halfway line, Treaty’s Dean Owens ran in with what can only be described as a textbook rugby tackle around Lee’s midriff. Cynical? Absolutely. Necessary? Without question. One of the best professional fouls I’ve seen in a while. Treaty’s back line was caught high, with only midfielder Steven Healy behind, and Kennedy Amechi wide open for a one-on-one break with his former Kerry teammate.
But things went south fast.
Cian Brosnan stormed in and shoved Owens to the ground. Ben Lynch charged at Brosnan, and missed, while Evan O’Connor and Colin Conroy tried to play peacemakers. Substitute Darren Nwankwo exploded into the fray, shoving Brosnan square in the chest.
Chaos ensued. Kerry’s Oran Crowe squared off with Ben Lynch. Connor Wilson and Robbie Lynch jumped in, turning it into a 3-on-1 against Crowe. Enter Kerry’s Chris McQueen, who ran from behind and wrapped an arm around Ben Lynch’s neck in what looked like a chokehold mixed with a head clatter. Lynch slipped out, visibly furious. Former Kerry man and Treaty substitute Trpimir Vrljičak, towering as ever, waded in to calm things, though not before sneaking in a cheeky shove on McQueen. Kerry goalkeeper Matthew Connor was forced to drag his defender away, pointing urgently for him to leave it.
Meanwhile, Connor Wilson got tangled up with Kerry’s stand-in captain Ronan Teahan. Robbie Lynch took up his namesake Ben Lynch’s tussle with Oran Crowe. Kennedy Amechi jumped into the fray, and poor Robbie Lynch found himself literally pulled in every direction by four Kerry players, losing his footing in the chaos.
Coaches, players, and officials from both sides entered the pitch, some trying to break it up, others maybe adding fuel to the fire (depends who you ask!). Dean Owens, the architect of the tackle, had wisely distanced himself by this point, watching safely from the centre of the pitch.
From Owens’ challenge to the final shove, the whole sequence lasted about 30 seconds, seems a lot longer in the moment, 40 seconds if you add Wilson's missed swipe at the edge of the box. It had all about ended when Ben Lynch and Chris McQueen exchanged one last shove and some choice words.
But it was former Kerry man Steven Healy, who hadn’t involved himself in the tussle, who ended up in the book. Treaty assistant coach Brian O’Callaghan was caught telling Healy to back off his frustration with the officials, which might’ve been the trigger. Even though Healy was basically uninvolved physically apart from peacekeeping, referee John Sconnie Walsh still flashed the yellow.
On the other side, Owens picked up a yellow for his tactical foul, while Kerry’s Sean McGrath and Cian Brosnan joined the booked list, along with Oran Crowe. But somehow? No reds. A surprising outcome given the fireworks.
Oh, and just a quick heads-up, word is Tommy Barrett exchanged words with fans at the barriers by the tunnel after the game. Could this be a turning point for him? Stay tuned, an article on that is coming soon…
A 1-1 draw, Treaty can count themselves lucky it wasn’t a 2-1 loss, all thanks to Dean Owens’ timely tackle. Still, it’s not the best look for Treaty, who’ve managed just one win in their last eight league outings.
Was It Too Far?
There’s been plenty of online chatter about the so-called “brawl” during the match. Personally, I’d call it a bit of argy-bargy, because that’s exactly what it was. Tensions flared, sure. Any team would be fuming to see a goal chance snatched away, and I’ve no doubt Treaty would’ve reacted the same if roles were reversed.
Now, Dean Owens’ tackle? One of the best professional fouls I’ve seen in a while, take a bow, Dean, freshly 21 years of age and a move beyond his years and experience in the league. Classy in its cynicism. Cheeky, probably deserved the shove and yellow, but it should’ve stopped there. And look, I’m a big believer no player should be left to face the music alone. Teams stick together. That’s part of the game. But once it goes beyond pushing and shoving, it stops being about passion and turns into something else, although I don’t think it crossed that line.
Now, here’s my one small gripe: Chris McQueen coming up behind Ben Lynch when he wasn’t looking, that’s a low move, especially grabbing someone from behind around their head or neck, at the very least do it when they can see you coming. If you look closely at some of the photos, it even looks like a hand might’ve been thrown… but that’s just a theory.
The rest? Just standard handbags. Some Kerry fans reckon Robbie Lynch went down too softly trying to get players sent off, but with four Kerry lads hanging off him, it’s no surprise he hit the deck. He got straight back up, held his own, and did his job.
And look, they were all mates again after it. No need to blow it up into something it wasn’t. For instance, Steven Healy was in great form with his former teammate Samuel Aladesanusi after the match. Everyone shook hands. That said, I doubt Ben Lynch and Chris McQueen will be swapping Christmas cards anytime soon.
The Young Talent: Let’s Give Credit Where It’s Due
Honestly, it was a brilliant showcase of young talent.
Robbie Lynch? Honestly, I’m running out of ways to praise the lad. He’s an outstanding centre-back and one of the most polite, grounded guys you’ll meet.
Then there’s 20-year-old Steven Healy. It’s been a rough week for him, after one of the most scandalous red cards in recent LOI history got overturned on appeal. I did raise an eyebrow when I talked to him after the game, but in fairness, Steven had zero involvement in the scrap. I didn’t quite believe him at first (he’s got that cheeky streak, after all), but he was spot on. And honestly? Steven was one of the best players on the pitch that night. Real class.
Kerry FC’s Finn Barrett is another player to watch. I’ve known him since he was a young teenager, and now, freshly 19, I’m sure he’s a bit disappointed with his limited time on the pitch this season after breaking into the first team in 2024, but he’s once again proving why he belongs there. Definitely well worth a spot in that starting XI.
I’ve got to echo Jason Shanahan’s commentary on this: Former Treaty United academy player Darragh Foley is a serious up-and-coming goalkeeping talent for Kerry FC. I would love to see him make his debut soon. Just hope he gets more game time than Michael Dike did at Treaty, as you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, a proper nice lad like Darragh deserves better or at the very least a chance.
And of course, Kennedy Amechi… I don’t need to say much. The whole league knows what kind of magic he brings on the ball.
Where Are Treaty United Now?
The result keeps Treaty United in the playoff positions with ten games left. A win would’ve given them a bit of breathing space, but UCD have now edged ahead by four points.
Kerry, on the other hand, continue to show solid performances, taking four points from their Bank Holiday double-header. Treaty only managed two.
Looking Ahead to Longford
It’s a Saturday kickoff for Treaty, a bit of an advantage, given the rest of the league are slogging through a Friday-Monday-Friday schedule this week. That extra day could be important.
Last time out against Longford? A 5-1 hammering at the Markets Field. Lee Devitt hat trick, Vrljičak and Mahdy grabbing one each. But the time before that at Bishopsgate? A surprise 2-0 defeat, definitely not something Treaty will want to repeat.
Wexford are breathing down Treaty’s neck on 30 points. Finn Harps are ten back in 7th. UCD are starting to creep away, but only by four points. Still, there’s a 15-point gap to 3rd where Bray Wanderers sit, and just 10 games left.
Cobh and Dundalk are out of reach. So the focus now is holding 4th or 5th and staying in the playoff race.
Kickoff against Longford is 7:30 this Saturday.
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