New-look Bray had to settle for a SSE Airtricity Men's First Division point on the opening day of the 2026 season.
With ten new faces in the squad of 20, Wanderers played out a 1-1 draw against Longford on Friday in front of 1,292 spectators at a bitterly cold Carlisle Grounds.
After taking a first half lead through birthday boy Richard Ferizaj, the Wicklow outfit were pegged back by the Midlanders in the early stages of the second period.
But the Seagulls were left to rue a series of missed chances before the end to claim victory.
The Green and White’s handed senior club League debuts to the loan trio of Declan Osagie, Tyreik Sammy and Dan Ring.
They were joined by second half substitutes Ifunanyachi Achara, Aime Azende Nyembo and Ryan Kelly.
Late in the contest, Ethan Cheese then became the first player to feature at every age group with the club Academy - U13, U14, U15, U17 and U20 - before making his first team League of Ireland League debut.
Bray hit the front in the 12th minute.
Ferizaj was fouled in his own half and took a free quickly. Jamie Duggan and Dean O’Shea were involved before Sammy found Cian Doyle.
He sprayed a cross field pass from the left to wide right to pick put Billy O’Neill.
His endline cutback saw the ball run to Ferizaj who marked his 17th birthday by slotting in low from ten-yards.
The ‘Town could have equalised seven minutes later. New home captain Jimmy Corcroan thwarted Daniel Murtagh with Dean George’s close range follow up going over the bar.
The second period was just 45 seconds old when Longford drew level.
After possession was lost off a home throw in their own half, Osaze Irhue was slipped on down the left channel. His low centre picked out George who scooped to the net from eight yards.
Wanderers went agonisingly close to retaking the lead in the 76th minute.
Azende Nyembo tried to pass to Ferizaj with the ball running towards the away goal. Achara reacted and rounded the onrushing Kian Moore. But the covering Alex O’Brien got back to make a stunning goal-line clearance.
Then O’Neill’s 78th minute free took a deflection off the wall. Kian Moore made a diving save. Achara couldn’t convert the rebound before the danger was cleared.
Next in the 84th minute, Achara pounced a loose back pass. He lofted beyond the advancing Kian Moore from the edge of the box. But the ball dropped over the bar.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran, Alain Kizenga, Jamie Duggan, Declan Osagie, Dean O’Shea; Sean Brennan (Aime Azende Nyembo 61), Cian Doyle; Billy O’Neill, Richard Ferizaj (Ethan Cheese 86), Tyreik Sammy (Ryan Kelly 61); Dan Ring (Ifunanyachi Achara 61).
Subs not used: Mark Chidi, John Bilili Sesay, Conor Knight, Kyle Tucker, Rian Hogan.
Booked: Brennan 52, Doyle 69.
Longford Town: Kian Moore; Alex O'Brien, Cole Omorehiomwan, Osaze Irhue, Conor Errity; Pharrell Manuel, Sean Moore; Dean George (Francis Campbell 71), Aaron Doran (Stefan Ugbesia 71), Andy Paraschiv (Kyle Robinson 78); Daragh Murtagh (Kobichidi Ndebumadu 78).
Subs not used: Luke O'Brien, Daniel McKenna, Taylor McCarthy, Jake Hough, Edvinas Jakas.
Booked: Manuel 39, Murtagh 58, Paraschiv 78, Ndebumadu 82, Kian Moore 90 + 2.
Referee: Ryan Maher (Offaly).
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
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