Match Report – Cork City 2 Bray Wanderers 0

 

Bray suffered their first away SSE Airtricity First Division loss of 2024 when going to down Cork. 

 

On a very soft surface at Turner’s Cross on Friday evening, the Seagulls concession of two goals inside the opening quarter hour proved costly against the current leader leaders. 

 

Although improved after the break, the Wicklow side were unable to break down City, and failed to score for the first time this season in league action. 

 

Already without last season’s joint-top Ben Feeney, the visitors were missing vice-captain Darren Craven who was injured against Treaty United. 

 

That saw defender Evan Osam and midfielder Harry Groome come into the starting line-up. 

 

There was also a full senior league debut for striker Peter Grogan. 

 

Just before kick-off though, Shane Griffin dropped out of the starting XI with Guillermo Almirall promoted from the bench. 

 

Just six minutes had ticked by when the hosts took the lead. 

 

Goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran could only parry Cathal O’Sullivan’s low shot from inside the penalty area. But Seam Murray was first to react and convert the rebound just two yards out. 

 

That cushion was added to the 15th minute. 

 

Greg Bolger played a raking ball wide right for O’Sullivan to chase down. He skipped by a challenge by the right endline and drove a fierce effort from an acute angle high at the near post. 

 

The second period saw Bray improve, and they limited the Leesiders. 

 

Osam whipped over a ball from the left flank in the 57th minute. Almirall got a looping header in that Bradley Wade was required to tip onto the bar and over. 

 

Ten minutes later, Max Murphy’s free saw a corner conceded. He delivered the flag-kick deep. Skipper Kilian Cantwell forced a close range attempt goal-wards. But Wade scrambled clear for another corner. 

 

Josh McGlone was included amongst the substitutes for the first time in league action in 2024. 

 

He almost made an immediate impact when coming on in the 76th minute. 

 

But glanced a header just off target off Thompson’s right-wing cross. 

 

There was a bizarre moment in the 88th minute when Corcoran was deemed to have picked the ball up from a back pass. 

 

Bolger rolled the dead-ball to Jack Doherty eight-yards out. But the shot was deflected over off the crowded goalmouth. 

 

Four minutes deep into stoppage time, sub Thomas Morgan teed up Paul Murphy. But his placed effort from the edge of the box flew narrowly wide. 

 

Cork City: Bradley Wade; Harry Nevin, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, John O’Donovan; Greg Bolger, Evan McLaughlin (Niall Brookwell 69); Cathal O’Sullivan, Sean Murray (Oran Crowe 83), Nathan Wood (Jaden Umeh 79); Jack Doherty. 

 

Subs not used: Cian Bargary, Joshua Fitzpatrick, Matthew Murray, Harvey Skieters, Aidan Dowling, Daniel Moynihan. 

 

Booked: McLaughin 48. 

 

Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Cole Omorehiomwan (Alain Kizenga 83), Kilian Cantwell (Kieran Cruise 76), Paul Murphy; Max Murphy, Harry Groome, Freddie Turley, Evan Osam (Zach Nolan 76); Guillermo Almirall (Josh McGlone 76); Callum Thompson, Peter Grogan (Thomas Morgan 60). 

 

Subs not used: Cristian Magerusan, Zyad Abada, Conor Knight, Benjamin Clark. 

 

Booked: Turley 43. 

 

Referee: Mark Houlihan. 

 

Pictures: Doug Minihane.