First Division wrap: Cork City held by Treaty United

With the huge excitement around the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division this season, Cork City must feel like a house party is taking place which they have not been invited to.

Results on the pitch meant relegation for the Leesiders last term and 2024 is all about earning promotion back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

The form of Tim Clancy's side suggests this period in the First Division may only last a few months more, with Cork 10 points clear at the top of the table going into this weekend’s series of games.

However on this Friday night City played host to Treaty United at Turners Cross, with Tommy Barrett’s side producing a hard working performance to frustrate the Leesiders and ensure the spoils were shared.

Treaty have been sliding down the table in recent weeks and made the trip to Leeside going 13 games without a league victory. The visitors were dealt an early blow when City were awarded a penalty in the eighth minute after Thomas Considine was harshly adjudged to have handled in the box.

Up stepped Evan McLaughlin to assume spot kick taking duties for the hosts and he duly finished neatly to the back of the net. The opening half was one which was being largely played on City terms, as they controlled possession and seek to carve open the Treaty defence.

Treaty however nearly hit on the counter attack on 27 minutes when Stephen Christopher did well to pick out Leon Kirrane, who fired just wide of the target.

City went close to getting a second goal in the 36th minute, when Jaden Umeh headed just over inside the penalty area from a good cross by Cian Bargary. A few minutes earlier, McLaughlin almost got on the scoresheet again, as his deflected strike forced a very good save out of Treaty goalkeeper