Match Report Bray Wanderers 1 Cork City 3

Bray’s recent winning home run came to an end on Friday as Cork left the Carlise Grounds with all three points. Two early goals saw City extend their lead at the top of the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division table.  

 

In what was the 80th meeting between the clubs, Wanderers went into the tie unbeaten in their last six home ties - winning their last four in a row. 

But the visitors were on a 16-game undefeated run in all competitions against the Wicklow outfit. And the Leesiders continued that Indian sign. The Seagulls made once change to their line-up who gone down away to Athlone Town last week - with defender Cole Omorehiomwan returning after injury. When the teams last met at Turner’s Cross back in March, City led 2-0 after two early goals. It was almost a carbon copy this time round. 

 

With just 37 seconds on the clock, the away side broke down the left flank. Cian Murphy crossed, and Cian Bargary arched to head in from eight yards. The visitors went close again when the unmarked Barry Coffey blasted over at the back post in the fifth minute when Bargary’s centre from the right came all the way cross from near the corner flag. But playing in all purple to avoid a clash of the Green and White colours, the Munster club doubled that advantage in the ninth minute. 

 

A Max Murphy under-hit back pass was pounced upon by Cathal O’Sullivan off the left of the box and he drilled low on the run past Stephen McGuinness. Bray went close on 25 when Cristian Magerusan’s snapshot from 20-yards narrowly missed the far upright. It got even better for Cork in the 35th minute. 

Sean Murray slipped in Bargary on the right of the penalty area. McGuinness got his fingertips to the drive. But couldn’t prevent the ball nesting in the far left corner of the net. Magerusan curled over from distance just before the break. And soon after the turnaround, the striker bent his 22-yard just off target. 

 

But the hosts were a different proposition after the interval. It became a more even contest. And they pulled one back in the 68th minute. Half time sub Guillermo Almirall – who was making his 50th appearance for the club – gathered a low centre off the left by fellow reserve Zach Nolan cut off the left flank in the box to flash a drive into the far corner to open his account for the 2024 season. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Max Murphy, Cole Omorehiomwan, Paul Murphy, Evan Osam (Guillermo Almirall half time); Darren Craven, Harry Groome; Freddie Turley (Conor Knight 65), Shane Griffin, Kieran Cruise (Zach Nolan half time); Cristian Magerusan. 

Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Thomas Morgan, Zayd Abada, Josh McGlone, Ben Clark 

 

Booked: Max Murphy 55. 

 

Cork City: Bradley Wade; Darragh Crowley, Cian Coleman, Charlie Lyons, Evan McLaughlin; Greg Bolger (Oran Crowe 65), Sean Murray; Coffey (Harry Brookwell 90 + 3); Cathal O’Sullivan, Cian Bargary (Jaden Umeh 69), Cian Murphy. 

Subs not used: Harry Nevin, Nathan Wood, Conor Drinan, Joshua Fitzpatrick, Harvey Skieters, Aidan Dowling. 

 

Booked: Murray 30, Bargary 57, Lyons 89. 

 

Referee: Ian O'Keeffe. 

 

Pictures: Mick Hanney (Bray Camera Club). 

 

Mint + Man of the Match: Guillermo Almirall