Brawl breaks out during heated League of Ireland derby as FIVE cards are shown in fiery injury time

A win would have been huge for Treaty United to boost their promotion chances

KICKS OFF Brawl breaks out during heated League of Ireland derby as FIVE cards are shown in fiery injury time

A BRAWL broke out in Treaty United's First Division clash with Kerry FC in the Markets Field.

An overly aggressive, cynical foul from Treaty's Dean Owens on Ewan Lee sparked a large scuffle in the 92nd minute.

2 Cian Brosnan was not pleased with Owens' challenge Credit: @emmakatedineen

2 Members of the Treaty and Kerry benches broke up the fight Credit: @emmakatedineen

A Kerry counter attack had appeared to form as Lee got in behind Owens with Kennedy Amechi supporting him against a lone Treaty defender.

The 22-year-old was then dragged down from behind by the shoulders from Owens to end the attack.

The Kingdom's Cian Brosnan appeared to take particular offence to the challenge by Owens as he ran at the player before pushing him to the ground from behind.

Darren Nwankwo responded with a shove of his own before trying to de-escalate the situation.

The heated gathering was eventually broken up after substitutes and coaching staff stepped in.

Five yellow cards were dished out in injury time alone during the feisty Munster derby.

Owens received a yellow card for the initial challenge while Treaty's Steven Healy and Kerry's Brosnan were booked for their involvement in the brawl.

Oran Crowe and Sean McGrath were also booked for the visitors in the closing stages of the contest.

This incident comes at a tough time for Kerry as it's been just a week since the release of two first team players.

The axed players were former PSG goalkeeper Mathyas Randriamamy and Shane Maroodza who they signed just FOUR days previous.

Former England star Joe Hart reveals how close he came to a career in cricket

The 21-year-old came through the Leicester academy before signing for Huddersfield and Barnet. Maroodza played just one game for Colin Healy's side.

The fight came a short while after Lee forced Kerry's equaliser when he put pressure on Ben Lynch at the back post from a long throw in by Samuel Aladesanusi.

A second half glancing header from new signing Patrick Ferry on the end of an Evan O'Connor cross had opened the scoring, putting the Shannonsiders into the lead.

The Super Blues had to make an early substitution in the first half with Limerick footballing legend Lee J Lynch being forced off with injury after just 24 minutes.

Treaty United find themselves fifth in the table and just inside the promotion play-off places with a five point cushion over Wexford FC with 10 games to go.

With just one win in their last eight league games, Tommy Barrett's side have fallen away from the pack leading the league table as they are now 15 points adrift from Bray Wanderers in third.

Kerry's promotion chances have taken a hit after yesterday's must win game finished level.

They now sit eighth, 10 points behind their Munster rivals with just 10 games to go.

Click here to read article