Bray Wanderers 0 Shelbourne 1 
 
Despite a brave second half display, Bray bowed out of the Sports Direct FAI Cup at the second-round hurdle. 
 
The biggest crowd of the season at the Carlisle Grounds saw current Premier Division leaders Shelbourne claim a narrow 1-0 success on Sunday afternoon. 
 
While Wanderers have won the FAI Cup twice in their history, in 1990 and again in 1999, on each occasion, they defeated the Reds along the way. 
 
But on this occasion, the Dubliner’s made it through to the last 16 of the competition – despite the Green and White’s late flurry to try and force extra time. 
 
There was three changes to the home starting line-up from that which drew 3-3 away to Kerry FC at Mounthawk Park last week. 
 
Goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran made his first start after injury since last March. It was the same for striker Ben Feeney. Midfielder Guillermo Almirall also came into the team. 
 
As for the visitors, they made no less than eight changes to their side after their European exploits in Gibraltar against St. Joseph’s. 
 
Just like the encounter at the same venue at the same stage of the competition two years ago, the visitors started brightly. 
 
But that was only after the kick off delayed for 15 minutes due to crowd congestion. 
 
The only goal of the contest arrived on the quarter hour. 
 
John O’Sullivan’s pass infield off the right saw Ryahaan Tulloch play a flicked pass which saw Sean Boyd break clear in the box. The forward then side-foot low past Corcoran from 12-yards. 
 
Boyd then flashed a 19th minute header wide from a Matt Smith cross. 
 
Having been on the back foot, the Wicklow outfit responded before the interval. Feeney’s header off Max Murphy’s free was easily gathered by Lorcan Healy. Then on the stroke of half time, the custodian smothered Harry Groome’s 20-yard drive. 
 
It was a different scenario after the turnaround though, as the hosts matched their top-flight opponents. 
 
On 57, Kierran Cruise’s cross from the left saw Feeney get a touch. Almirall gathered and turned. But his low strike was straight at Healy. 
 
Feeney guided a close-range header over the bar on 71 off Max Murphy’s corner. Three minutes later, Feeney teed up Groome who fired high and over from 22-yards. 
 
Shels only real opportunity of the second half saw Evan Caffrey flash wide in the 77th minute after being found by sub Mark Coye. 
 
Instead, it was the Seagulls who finished the stronger. 
 
In the 85th minute, from Max Murphy’s free kick, both Paul Murphy and Almirall had efforts blocked. From Max Murphy’s corner that followed, the ball dropped to Feeney close in. But his header landed safely in Healy’s arms. 
 
In the first minute of stoppage time, Zach Nolan’s left-wing run and cross ended with Max Murphy arriving at the back post. But his volley flew wide across the goal and missed the target. 
 
Then just before the final whistle, Max Murphy’ attempt was spilled by Healy, Sub Cole Omorehiomwan readied to pounce on the loose ball just yards from the goal-line. But the keeper recovered to grasp the ball ahead of the big defender. 
 
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Zach Nolan; Harry Groome; Darren Craven (Zayd Abada 90+2), Callum Thompson (Peter Grogan 83), Guillermo Almirall, Kieran Cruise (Cole Omorehiomwan 90+2); Ben Feeney. 
 
Subs not used: Thomas Morgan, Conor Knight, Shane Griffin, Josh McGlone, Billy O’Neill, Ben Clark. 
 
Booked: Paul Murphy 2, Cantwell 67, Almirall 79, Lorcan Fitzgerald 79. 
 
Shelbourne: Lorcan Healy; John O'Sullivan, Sam Bone, Kameron Ledwidge, Shane Griffin; Evan Caffrey; Matty Smith (JJ Lunney 59), Ali Coote (Mark Coyle 65), Harry Wood (John Martin, 74), Rayhaan Tulloch (Will Jarvis 65); Sean Boyd. 
 
Subs not used: Sean Gannon, Tyreke Wilson, Paddy Barrett, Liam Burt, 
Conor Kearns. 
 
Booked: O’Sullivan 90 + 2. 
 
Referee: Paul Norton (Dublin). 
 
Pictures: Mick Hanney (Bray Camera Club). 
 
Tagged as: Senior Team
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