Kerry FC were denied all 3 points in front of their home crowd on Friday night as a lastgasp equaliser from Treaty United substitute Benjamin Lee snatched a share of the spoils in Mounthawk Park.
The Kingdom thought they had wrapped up all three points when Seán McGrath struck in the 84th minute, curling home after good work from Luke Doolan. But just as Kerry looked set to celebrate victory, Lee, only on the pitch for seconds, produced a superb finish in stoppage time to rescue the Limerick side.
The draw keeps Treaty United in fifth place, clinging to the final promotion play-off spot with Wexford FC closing the gap to a single point with 3 games remaining. As for Kerry FC all eyes were on next Sunday evening for their FAI Cup semi final clash against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
Kerry FC began brightly, with winger Joe Adams causing plenty of problems down the flank. Treaty grew into the game after the opening 15 minutes, creating half-chances of their own.
Full-back Richkov Boevi came closest when he met a Karl O’Sullivan cross, only to head over the bar. Then just before half-time, Lee Devitt threaded through to Patrick Ferry, who curled narrowly over.
Into the second half, The match appeared to be drifting towards a stalemate until the closing stages. Kerry struck first when substitute Luke Doolan flicked a ball into McGrath, who buried his effort into the far corner with just six minutes left.
However, Treaty responded in dramatic fashion. Lee, having just entered the game, found space at the edge of the box and curled in a stunning strike past Darragh Foley to make it 1–1 in the 90th minute.
Line Ups
Kerry FC: Darragh Foley; Finn Barrett, Christopher McQueen, Daniel O’Connor (Kevin Williams 29, inj.), Ewan Lee; Oran Crowe (Sean McGrath 64), Ronan Teehan (c), Arran Healy (Carl Mujaguzi HT); Cian Brosnan, Robert Cleary (Luke Doolan 64), Joseph Adams (Daniel Okwute 79).
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor (Ben Lee 90), Mark Walsh (c) (Robbie Lynch 75), Ben Lynch, Richkov Boevi; Colin Conroy, Eoin Martin (Lee J Lynch 65); Karl O’Sullivan, Lee Devitt, Mark Byrne (Roy Lawlor 65); Patrick Ferry.