Bray Wanderers 3 Wayside Celtic 0
For the first time in over a decade, Bray picked up a home win in the Sports Direct FAI Cup to advance to the last 16 of the competition.
No since beating defeating Limerick FC at the Carlisle Grounds back in May 2015 had the Seagulls won a Cup tie on their own patch.
That record was set straight on Friday evening – in front of a crowd exceeding 1,000 spectators for the seventh successive home game in all competitions - by beating local rivals Wayside Celtic 3-0.
The result was the Wicklow outfit’s fourth win in a row, in which they haven’t conceded.
The hosts made three changes to the line-up who defeated First Division leaders Dundalk at the same venue last week.
In came Benjamin Fagbemi, Guillermo Almirall, and Danú Kinsella Bishop.
On the bench, goalkeeper Benjamin Clarke was included while new signing Sean Brennan came in amongst the substitutes.
U17 player Cristiano Bramley was rewarded for his good recent form by making in the first team squad of 20 for the first time.
The visitors had so many local links with both Bray and Cabinteely, with both former first team and underage players littered through their squad; with the same being said for the back room and coaching staff.
The Green and White’s hit the front in the 42nd minute.
Captain Kilian Cantwell switched play from the right to the middle to Rhys Bartley who then found Cian Doyle who picked out Conor Knight.
He then threaded a pass to Kinsella Bishop in-between the ‘D and the left of the box.
The striker turned away from two opponents. He then danced right across the line of the penalty area - leaving four players in his wake - before cutting into the zone and angling in low from 15-yards into the bottom left corner of the net.
Wayside went close to equalising three minutes into the second period.
Craig Arnold lofted a pass down the right channel from his own half. It was picked up by Kai Fitzsimons. He played it across to Cormac Kelly who teed up Sean Schütte.
His curling 22-yard right-footed effort cannoned off the right hand post. It rebound into the path of the inrushing Kelly. As he set up to try and connect from ten yards, Cantwell dived in to make a goal-saving block.
It proved crucial as Wanderers grabbed the crucial second score in the 65th minute.
Jamie Duggan switched play right to left cross field inside the ‘Celtic half.
His pass picked out Conor Knight who then fed his younger brother Rhys Knight.
The substitutes’ clever backheel found Cantwell on the left wing. He clipped over a cross that saw sub Paul Murphy get ahead of an opponent to steer in a 12-yard placed low left-footed volley.
The win was sealed in 80th minute.
The South Dublin side had an attack off their right flank. But Bray cleared.
Max Murphy broke up the middle and picked out Billy O’Neill wide right.
He was fouled by Sean Bolton. Referee Rob Hennessey pointed to the spot.
Having converted seven of his previous eight 12-yard dead balls so far in the 2025 campaign, Max Murphy made no mistake by slotting in the penalty.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Benjamin Fagbemi (Paul Murphy 30), Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle (Sean Brennan half time); Billy O'Neill, Guillermo Almirall (Rhys Knight 62), Conor Knight (Matthew Britton 76); Danú Kinsella Bishop (Cian Curtis 62).
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Jordan Tallon, Cristiano Bramley, Benjamin Clark.
Booked: Fagbemi 25, Doyle 39, Paul Murphy 78.
Wayside Celtic: Dean Mahon; Craig Arnold, Adam O'Brien Coone, Enda Douglas, Sean Bolton; Gavin Howard, Dylan O'Connor (Thomas O'Hanlon 76); Cormac Kelly (Josh McGlone 56), Sean Schütte (Cian Fay 79), Darragh O'Connor (Jack Curran 76); Kai Fitzsimons.
Subs not used: Craig Canty, Marc Gannon, Matt Farrell, Thomas Murphy, Lorcán Molloy.
Booked: Kelly 7, McGlone 82
Pictures: Ethan Finnerty.
Mint + Man of the Match: Kilian Cantwell.
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