For the second time this season Treaty United came from behind to earn a point against league leaders Dundalk at the Markets Field.
The only points that Ciaran Kilduff's side had dropped in the first series of matches in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division table came on March 7 when the Limerick outfit came from two goals down to earn a dramatic 2-2 draw at Oriel Park.
Having frustrated their opponents for long periods, it looked as though the Co. Louth side would claim their ninth win of the campaign when former Republic of Ireland international Daryl Horgan fired his side in front with his second goal of the season on 69 minutes.
However, substitute Yoyo Mahdy pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time to earn a point for Tommy Barrett’s side.
The result, coupled with a fifth win in-a-row for Bray Wanderers who were 4-0 winners against Longford Town at the Carlisle Grounds, means that Dundalk’s lead at the top is cut to five points, although they remain the only undefeated side in the division.
The first half was one of few chances with the hosts’ best opening coming inside the opening two minutes when Karl O’Sullivan’s free kick bounced in front of Peter Cherrie, giving the Scottish goalkeeper a tough early test.
It took Dundalk until the 22nd minute to threaten for the first time with Aodh Dervin’s in-swinging free kick met by the head of Vinnie Leonard, who looked destined to score only for Corey Chambers to do well to get down to his right to save.
Harry Groome then volleyed wide three minutes later after Leo Gaxha’s cross broke to him at the edge of the box off Mark Walsh.
Having blazed over shortly beforehand, Horgan then had a great chance to break the deadlock two minutes before half-time but his header was Dervin’s cross was too close to Chambers.
Both Horgan and Eoin Kenny had efforts blocked in the early stages of the second half as the league leaders pushed for the breakthrough before a long range effort from Groome was spilled by Chambers on 63 minutes only for no one to be on hand to punish the error.
A triple substitution by the Co Louth side proved fruitful almost instantly on 69 minutes when one of those subs, Sean Keogh, found space on the left to cross right footed, with the loose ball seized upon by Horgan, who rifled low to the net.
Kenny then pulled a shot wide in the immediate aftermath before Treaty Utd levelled matters somewhat against the run of play with their own substitutes involved on 78 minutes.
Trpimir Vrkjicak found space on the left to get a shot away which was blocked on the line by Leonard but Mahdy was on hand to tap home the rebound much to the delight of the home fans.
Both sides had chances to grab the three points after that with Kenny going close for the visitors on 82 minutes when he got on the end of Keith Ward’s cross from the left but it was looped too high to really trouble Chambers.
Then in stoppage time Mahdy had an effort parried away by Cherrie before Chambers saved from Gaxha as Dundalk broke clear. Vrkjicak then headed over in the last bit of action as the sides shared the spoils for the second time this season.
Treaty Utd: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Mark Walsh, Robbie Lynch, Ben Lynch; Steven Healy, Eoin Martin; Karl O’Sullivan, Lee Devitt, Mark Byrne (Trpimir Vrkjicak 62); Joseph Hanson (Yoyo Mahdy 62).
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie; Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale (Sean Keogh 68); Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (Shane Tracey 68); Eoin Kenny, Leo Gaxha, Daryl Horgan; Dean Ebbe (Keith Ward 68).
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.
Elsewhere, Bray Wanderers got four goals over Longford Town to claim their fifth league win in a row, equalling the club record.
Goals from brothers Conor Knight and Rhys Knight, as well as Cian Curtis, and finally one from the spot for Max Murphy made it a memorable night in Wicklow for the home side.
Athlone Town drew at home to Wexford in dramatic fashion with a late equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time from Billy Gilmore to ensuring the points were shared. This came after a deflected Athlone own goal was awarded in the 82nd minute from a Mikie Rowe shot from inside the box.
Dara McGuinness sealed the deal for Finn Harps in a 4-2 home win over Kerry. Max Hutchison and McGuinness overturned the half-time deficit created by goals from the visiting Daniel Okwute and Sam Aladesanusi.
Dara McGuinness seals the points for Harps!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) April 18, 2025
What a finish it was. pic.twitter.com/fYtVnmOPjH
Cobh Ramblers were back to winning ways after three losses in a row. The Cork side won 1-0 against seventh placers in the table, UCD. A 57th-minute goal from Cian Bargary secured them three points and they now lie in third position on the table.
