Bray Wanderers 1 Treaty United 0
A moment of magic by Justin Ferizaj saw Bray win the First Division final for the second year in a row.
With extra time looming at the Athlone Town Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Wanderers snatched a dramatic 90th minute victory to defeat Treaty 1-0.
It means they will face Premier Division Waterford FC in the Promotion/Relegation play-off next Friday at Tolka Park in Dublin.
With normal time just up, Max Murphy directed a free into the box. It ran loose and was picked up by Seasiders captain Kilian Cantwell. He lobbed the ball back into the danger zone.
Cian Doyle won a header. The ball dropped to Juston Ferizaj who swivelled to score with a brilliant overhead right footed effort from eight-yards to spark wild celebrations.
After the Green and White' started well, United were the better side in the latter stages of the first period. And struck the woodwork twice overall.
But Bray finished the contest strongly to repeat their success of 12 months ago when they overcame Athlone Town on penalties.
But then succumbed to then FAI Cup winners Drogheda United in the Promotion/Relegation tie.
It was the fifth meeting of the sides in the 2025 season, with both clubs winning their two home games at the Carlisle Grounds and Markets Field respectfully.
From the side who’d beaten UCD in the Semi Finals, the Wicklow outfit made one change, as Sean Brennan came in for Rhys Knight in midfield.
Guillermo Almirall returned to join the substitutes.
United – after their success over Cobh Ramblers – too made one change to their starting XI. Patrick Ferry came in for Joe Hanson up front.
The Seagulls began brightly with Brennan sending third minute glancing header across the face of goal when losing his marker to get on the end of Max Murphy’s free-kick.
The Limerick team responded in the 17th minute. But Jimmy Corcoran easily gathered Mark Byrne’s header.
On 22, after good work by Cian Curtis, Conor Knight crossed for the right. Justin Ferizaj’s header was deflected for a corner.
After the corner was cleared, Max Murphy played a raking cross-field pass. It was flicked on by Cian Curtis. Kilian Cantwell laid off to Justin Ferizaj. But Corey Chambers blocked the low shot with his legs.
But it was the Shannonsiders who finished the period strongly.
Mark Byrne headed Lee Devitt’s 39th minute corner off the bar. Corcoran smothered the ball after a goalmouth scramble.
Less than a minute later, Cantwell made a vital last gasp tackle to prevent Ferry from breaking the dead-lock.
Then on 43, Corcoran superbly tipped over Devitt’s swerving shot from outside the box.
Amid the drizzle, Wanderers started the second half well, with Curtis stinging Chambers palms in the 52nd minute.
Just before the hour, a sweeping move involving six players ended with Curtis firing over the bar from inside the penalty area.
Devitt went close for Treaty again in the 62nd minute. But his dipping 22-yard half volley hit the top of the bar and bounced over.
With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Chambers had to backpedal to push over sub Rhys Knight’s looping header off Justin Ferzaj’s floated centre.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley (Rhys Knight 68); Justin Ferizaj, Sean Brennan (Paul Murphy 90 +2), Conor Knight (Guillermo Almirall 68); Cian Curtis.
Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Benjamin Fagbemi, Richard Ferizaj, Cristiano Bramley, Matthew Britton, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Doyle 61, Justin Ferizaj 90.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Richkov Boevi, Eoin Martin, Benjamin Lynch; Lee Devitt, Colin Conroy; Karl O’Sullivan, Lee Lynch (Roy Lawlor 89), Mark Byrne (Benjamin Lee 89); Patrick Ferry (Joe Hanson 61).
Subs not used: Steven Healy, Connor Wilson, Fionn Doherty, Mark Walsh, Robbie Lynch, Matthew Boylan.
Booked: Benjamin Lynch 36, O’Connor 49, Conroy 90.
Referee: Declan Toland (Midland).
Pictures: Stefan and Harry Teehan.
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