Treaty United suffer home defeat against Finn Harps

Treaty United fell to a second consecutive 3-0 reverse, this time at home to Finn Harps. On a disappointing evening for the Limerick side, a brace from Ryan Flood and a late Aaron McLaughlin effort saw the Donegal man collect the win.

There was little to get excited by for Treaty fans, who saw their side trail from a penalty after just 12 minutes. Young defender Darren Nwankwo penalised by referee Paul Norton, after bundling Sean O’Donnell over inside the area. Flood made no mistake with a powerful penalty.

O’Donnell was fouled by returning Treaty United defender, Anto O’Donnell, just outside the area. The free-kick was pinpoint as again Flood outsmarted Hallahan with a powerful and accurate strike.

Enda Curran had probably the best opening of the evening for Tommy Barrett’s side, immediately from the re-start, but Tim Hiemer pushed his powerful effort away for a corner. Treaty had lost the reverse fixture, 2-0, in Donegal last month. Finn Harps were returning to Limerick for the first time since playing Limerick FC in 2018.

Trailing 2-0 at the interval, United failed to gain serious momentum in the third quarter, as Harps, who played a back five, were comfortable for long periods. Efforts from the tireless Lee Devitt and attacker Dean George caused some Harps panic, but neither would yield a breakthrough goal for 6th place Treaty.

Aaron McLaughlin ghosted in behind the defence, late on to seal a much-needed win for 9th placed Finn Harps.

Treaty travel to Waterford next week, before back-to-back home games in June. Despite the result, they remain well in the hunt for the play-off placings in a very competitive First Division.

Treaty United: S Hallahan; S Christopher, A O’Donnell, D Nwankwo, M Ludden (C); C Barry (C Conroy 68), A Bryne, L Devitt; W Armshaw (M Coughlan 79), D George (C Kelly 73), E Curran (Quinlivan 79).

Finn Harps: T Hiemer; S Keogh, N Baba, K Cowan (C) (S O’Kane 71), S McMonagle, K Jordan; K Mashigo, R Flood, M Harris (D Duffy 87); F Da Silva, S O’Donnell (A McLaughlin 80).

Referee: P Norton.

Attendance (estimate): 630