A second-half Joe Hanson goal was the difference as Treaty United defeated Cobh Ramblers 1-0 in the first leg of their promotion play-off semi-final at the Markets Field in Limerick.
The two teams will do it all over again on Tuesday evening under the lights at St Colman's Park.
Friday marked Cobh’s first game since the shock departure of manager Mick McDermott, with former Cork City coach Richie Holland currently in charge on an interim basis.
Ramblers were up against a Treaty side that qualified for the play-offs on the final day by defeating Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park. Tommy Barrett’s side were emboldened by this feeling of a second chance which led to a number of early chances.
Lee Lynch almost singlehandedly ran the show, with his best effort forcing a low Timothy Martin save on the half hour mark.
Ramblers only got into that kind of position once, following good work on the right wing by Dylan McGlade. That set up Iestyn Hughes for a right-footed shot that was easily stopped by Corey Chambers at the near post in the 33rd minute.
At the other end, a hat-trick of chances fell to Mark Byrne in quick succession from the edge of the area. The first was blocked down, then Cian Coleman knocked the ball away, and this spell finished with the ball rolling just wide.
It was evenly poised at the break, and things restarted with Cobh’s first real attacking spell which included a free header from a McGlade corner and Rhys Gourdie firing the ball over the bar.
Lee Devitt hit back for Treaty with a right-footed strike that was scrambled away by a flurry of claret and blue jerseys after Lynch dropped the ball onto the penalty spot.
Cian Bargary responded twice for Cobh in quick succession, starting with a header and ending with curling shot that hit the crossbar.
Treaty soaked up the pressure and scored the game’s only goal with their next attack as Hanson was able to guide in a Mark Byrne cross at the far post in the 77th minute.
Holland immediately went to the bench and brought on Mathew Whelan, a striker, for Gourdie, as their formation shifted to a traditional 4-4-2.
There was no moment that silenced the crowd, instead there was the roar of relief as Treaty hung on to get the lead without Chambers being tested.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Richkov Boevi, Benjamin Lynch, Eoin Martin, Evan O’Connor, Karl O’Sullivan, Mark Byrne, Colin Conroy, Lee Devitt, Lee Lynch (Ben Lee 89), Patrick Ferry (Joseph Hanson 60)
Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Iestyn Hughes, Cian Coleman, Jonas Hakkinen, Shane Griffin, Niall O’Keeffe, Rhys Gourdie (Matthew Whelan 83), Cian Bargary, Barry Coffey, Dylan McGlade (Samuel Bellis 72), Cian Murphy
Referee: Oliver Moran
