Athlone Town 0 Bray Wanderers 4
A Billy O’Neill inspired Bray got back to winning ways on Friday night in the SSE Airtricity First Division, with the Irish U17 international scoring one and assisting another two, as the Seagulls put four past bottom of the table Athlone Town.
It was the Wicklow side’s third League win over the Midlanders in the 2025 campaign, with Conor Knight scoring in each fixture.
The victory also set a new club record tonight of scoring in 17 consecutive games in all competitions - beating the previously record set between October 2000 to February 2001.
In what was their third game in the space of eight days, the Garden County outfit made four changes to the side that lost out at home to UCD last Monday.
Conor Knight, Rhys Bartley, Jamie Duggan, and Cian Curtis all returned to the starting eleven, while U17 goalkeeper Alex Forde took his place on the bench for the first time alongside the returning Benjamin Fagbemi.
The home side started the brighter, playing with the aid of the elements at a blustery Athlone Town stadium.
Kailin Barlow had the game’s first real shot in anger in the 11th minute. His stinging attempt was well held by away custodian Jimmy Corcoran.
After initially struggling to get out past the energetic home press, the Green and White’s began to get a foothold in midfield.
Conor Knight’s excellent work down the left was the catalyst for the visitors’ first chance. He combined with his brother Rhys, who flicked the ball first-time into the path of Curtis, but Lee Axworthy Duggan was off his line quickly to smother the shot.
Three minutes later, the home netminder was out quick to intercept Max Murphy’s hopeful ball forward. However, he couldn’t gather it at the first instance and O’Neill pounced on the loose ball.
Unfortunately for the teenager, the ball spun away from goal, giving the keeper time to recover and dive at O’Neill’s feet.
On 21 minutes, Wanderers hit the front.
O’Neill intercepted a poor ‘Town pass out from the back. A clever one-two with Rhys Knight ensued off the right flank and O’Neill slipped in Conor Knight on the left of the penalty area.
With only the keeper to beat, the attacking midfielder slotted in a low left footed finish from 12-yards.
Athlone responded as former Seagull Daniel McKenna screwed his shot wide after a delivery from Klye O’Connor was only half-cleared.
O’Neill individual brilliance created the Seasiders’ second score on the half hour.
After winning the ball back on the right-wing in his own half, O’Neill floated a perfectly weighted ball over the top.
Running ahead of a defender, Curtis’ first touch took him around the keeper to convert his third goal of the season.
The hosts rallied before the break. Ex-Wanderer Ben Feeney’s looping header forced a good save from Corcoran following O’Connor’s in-swinging corner, while Eoin Sheeran couldn’t divert Billy Gilmore’s free kick goalwards on the stroke of half-time.
Eight minutes into the half came the game’s crowning moment for O’Neill.
The 17-year-old’s initial individual breakaway was halted by Oisín Duffy sliding tackle.
Curtis picked up the second ball and laid it back to the teenager, who sauntered in off the left flank and curled a 16-yard beauty into the far corner of the net.
It became 4-0 on 66 minutes.
Bray skipper Killian Cantwell rose highest at the far post, to nod in Max Murphy’s corner via a slight deflection
Giddeon Tetteh and substitute Martin Scally tried to restore some pride for the Midlanders. But their efforts at goal couldn’t trouble Corcoran who kept his seventh clean sheet this season.
Athlone Town: Lee Axworthy Duggan; Oisín Duffy, Eoin Sheeran, Dylan Hand, Kyle O’Connor; Daniel McKenna, Kailin Barlow (William Smith 61); Gideon Tetteh (Adam Lennon 81), Billy Gilmore (Martin Scally 61), Ben Feeney (Kyle Robinson 74); Dean Williams.
Subs not used: Alex Sheerin, Matthew Leal, Brian Torre, Noe Baba, Andrew Stuart Trainor
Booked: Barlow 27, Williams 58.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Cian Doyle (Guillermo Almirall 72), Rhys Bartley (Jordan Tallon 65); Billy O'Neill, Rhys Knight (Thomas Considine 77), Conor Knight (Richard Ferizaj 77); Cian Curtis (Danú Kinsella Bishop 72).
Subs not used: Benjamin Fagbemi, Calum Costello, Alain Kizenga, Alex Forde.
Booked: Bartley 37.
Referee: Lucas Keating (Cork).
Report: Luke Allen.
Pictures: Harry and Stefan Teehan.
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