Cork City and Treaty remain unbeaten after frantic stalemate

League of Ireland First Division: Treaty United 0 Cork City 0 

Both sides remain unbeaten after this Munster derby stalemate but Cork City are the title contender with an early three-point lead in the pursuit of promotion.

On a night 3,146 filed into Markets Field, the fare was plucky rather than pretty.

Five bookings, including one for Cork City boss Tim Clancy, was followed in the last minute by a red after Lee Devitt’s late tackle on Harry Nevin.

It was Treaty who might have nicked it to go level with their provincial rivals – Stephen Christopher blazing wide of the near post when sent clear into the box with the goal at mercy.

There will be three more occasions this season to disrupt City from their mission of an immediate return to the Premier, without the risk of navigating the playoffs.

Last year was the most disappointing in Treaty’s short existence as a senior set-up since 2021.

Having belied their fully amateur status to reach the playoffs in the first two years, they were denied a hat-trick by finishing sixth, three points behind Athlone Town.

The season was only over when news emerged of Tricor Pacific Capital, a Vancouver-based investment firm family, completing a surprise takeover of the club.

Former Ireland international Ciara McCormack was the catalyst, the Canadian-born Treaty player convincing the well-heeled newcomers to bankroll the club in a move that saw her promoted to chief executive, the first female to hold such an exalted position at an Irish club.

There was no immediate largesse for manager Tommy Barrett to compete with the likes of Cork City when it came to recruitment. 

Infrastructural improvements and community engagement were listed as priorities.

Little has changed for Treaty