TREATY United would now appear to face the steepest of uphill challenges to qualify for next season’s Premier Division.
If follows a heavy 4-1 loss to Waterford United in the opening leg of the SSS Airtricity First Division semi-final at the Markets Field last night, with the away fixture on Saturday night.
The aggregate winners will progress to meet the other semi-final victors (either Longford Town or Galway United, who drew 2-2 in their first leg meeting last night) in the final the weekend after next.
Whoever comes through there will still have to tackle the ninth place team from the Premier Division to secure which one of that pair will compete in the top-tier in 2023.
Adrift 2-0 at the interval, Enda Curran goaled from the penalty spot not long after the restart to bring Tommy Barrett’s side back into the reckoning.
An own goal and the dismissal of Colin Conroy to a second yellow card didn’t help Treaty, who were encouraged all through by a significant home support.
Waterford’s goals arrived from Phoenix Patterson (2) and Junior Quitirna.
Treaty United: Jack Brady, Marc Ludden (captain), Sean Guerins, Callum McNamara, Stephen Christopher, Lee Devitt, Willie Armshaw, Enda Curran, Ben O’Riordan, Mark Walsh, Jack Lynch. Subs used: Matt Keane, Success Edogun, Fionn Doherty and Colin Conroy.
