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 Corey Chambers.
All seemed to be going according to play for the hosts. However, Treaty ripped up the script and equalised in the 42nd minute. After an initial Treaty shot was saved by City goalkeeper Brad Wade, on hand to react quickest and slot home from close range was Alec Byrne, against his former club.
Buoyed by that leveller, Treaty went close to taking the lead early in the second half when a Lee Devitt shot forced a good save from City netminder Wade. There was a brief stoppage in play on the hour mark, as talented City teenager Jaden Umeh stretchered off through injury.
City looked to ignite themselves back into the life as the second half progressed, but Treaty were working hard to frustrate their hosts and keep them at bay.
The sides were still level as the game headed towards the 80th minute mark, when Barry Coffey went close with a curling effort inside the box.
Treaty had a glorious opportunity to go in front on 82 minutes, when Devitt blasted over from a great position inside the penalty area. As the game entered second half stoppage time, City pushed for a winning goal. It never arrived, as Treaty came away with a point which was the least their performances deserved.
Cork City: Brad Wade; Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Greg Bolger (Harvey Skieters, 87) , Evan McLaughlin, Barry Coffey, Cian Bargary (Jack Doherty, 66) , Sean Murray, Darragh Crowley, Jaden Umeh (Josh Fitzpatrick, 59), Cian Murphy.
Treaty United:Corey Chambers; Ben O’Riordan, Lee Devitt, William Armshaw (Adam O’Halloran, 71), Colin Conroy (Darren Nwankwo, 23) , Thomas Considine (Leon Kirrane, 23) , Stephen Christopher, Alec Byrne (Scott Kirkland, HT) , Evan O’Connor, Fionn Doherty, Mark Byrne.
Referee:Oliver Moran.
Elsewhere, in their first match since parting ways with head coach Ian Ryan, Bray Wanderers picked up all three points on the road with a 2-1 win at Wexford.
They had to come from behind with Cristian Magerusan's brace in quick succession midway through the second half cancelling out Mikie Rowe's 19th minute opener.
UCD also had to stage a fight-back at Athlone Town with Mikey McCullagh and Mikey Raggett goals clawing back a 2-2 draw after Gideon Tetteh and Aaron Connolly had put the Midlanders in control.
Meanwhile, Kerry earned their third ever win at League of Ireland level, beating Finn Harps 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from Ryan Kelliher and Daniel Okwute at Mounthawk Park.
The result lifts the club from the Kingdom off the bottom and above Longford Town, who host Cobh Ramblers on Saturday, while Finn Harps are fifth after the away day setback.
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