Treaty United aided their hopes of finishing in the play-offs as they came from behind to take the Munster Derby bragging rights over Kerry FC.

Goals in the first half from Marc Ludden and Dean George gave the Treaty men a 2-1 lead at the break, cancelling out Sean McGrath’s strike in the opening minute, but with 15 minutes to go, Enda Curran chipped Callan Scully to seal all three points.

Ludden’s direct goal from a corner brought Treaty level and when they got their chances they struck, Kerry to their credit did have chances and a late wonder strike from Gaxha did leave a goal between them in added time, but the third eluded them as Treaty held on.

Kerry started well and took the lead inside the opening minute, trying to get ground in the Treaty half they went down the right wing, Marc Ludden looked to clear the danger, but was knocked off balance as he attempted the kick, that left Nathan Gleeson space to race toward the area, his shot was saved by Shane Hallahan, but from the rebound Sean McGrath finished to the net from close range.

It was the hosts with their tails up, but Treaty were quick in searching and threatening for a reply, Marc Ludden curled a shot from outside the area that skinned the crossbar in the fifth minute, before Enda Curran was left beat the offside from a Treaty goal kick and race through on goal, but Callan Scully was out quick and dove to the feet to regain possession.

On the quarter of an hour mark, Gleeson had another shot well saved by Hallahan, in the aftermath Ronan Teahan had a shot that looked to have hit the arm of Ben O’Riordan, but nothing was given.

At the other end of the field, Ludden sent a dangerous cross into the Kerry box, Enda Curran headed home into the back of the net, the ball nestled in the left hand bottom corner, but the linesman had his flag up, the goal ruled out for offside.

Treaty were putting Kerry under pressure at the set piece, a plethora of corners forcing the Kerry defence to put bodies on the line to clear the danger, however from an inswinger on the right wing, Ludden fired in a corner that finished up in the back of the Kerry net, it looked like it floated directly in over Scully, Darren Nwamkwo may have got the definitive touch but Ludden will be claiming that one.

Almost immediately Kerry tried to regain their lead, Ryan Kelliher raced in and his shot forced Hallahan into a great save, but at the other end Curran was left free from a throw in and beat the offside trap, he linked up with Dean George, with George forcing Scully down quick to make a fine save.

On the half hour mark, Kerry had another big chance as Leo Gaxha was sent racing in with Lee Devitt, McGrath with a perfect pass for Gaxha to chase but he opted to shoot from range, his shot straight into the hands of Hallahan.

Action at one end and at the other Treaty took the lead seconds later, George quickest to react to a through ball into the area, his left footed effort going past Scully into the right hand side of the Kerry goal for the lead after 31 minutes.

For the remainder of the half Kerry were pressing well but just could not find the target, Gaxha and McGrath alongside Gleeson were pressing well, but unable to strike a second goal, they appealed for another penalty for hand ball but nothing was given, Treaty using the first half wind advantage well to lead 2-1 at the break.

Kerry upped the tempo at the start of the second half, Gaxha on the left wing, played a lovely back heel flick for Sean O’Connell to cross into the area, Kelliher rose to head but he miss timed the header, the referee awarded a free out for a pus by the Kerry forward.

Chances were coming from the hosts, Gaxha fired from range, O’Connell stung the palms of Hallahan from a free kick, before again Kelliher was looking dangerous and a Treaty defender deflected out for a corner.

Treaty did have a chance or two but Kerry were able to clear the danger, the action all evening revolving around the Greenway end of the field, Keane forcing Hallahan into another save from range, before O’Connell struck a volley wide from distance.

Kevin Williams kept up the Kerry pressure as his header flashed just wide of the Treaty net, but minutes later, Curran and George linked up again, George turning provider and the Galway native spotted Callan Scully well off his line and for the third game in a row, chipped the ball into the back of the net.

That goal signalled the end of the tie, despite Kerry having possession and threatening in the final 15 minutes, they were unable to find the two goals needed to share the points, Gaxha scored an incredible strike from range in added time to make it 3-2, but despite that goal they were unable to take points.