Match Report - Bray Wanderers 2 Cobh Ramblers 1

 

Max Murphy scored an injury-time penalty as Bray won for the first time at the new-look Carlisle Grounds in the 2025 SSE Airtricity First Division season. 

17-year-old Billy O’Neill’s first senior goal for the club had put the Green and White’s ahead in the second period on Friday evening before previously unbeaten Cobh restored parity. 

However, with the game ticking towards the end of the five additional minutes being added on, Conor Knight picked up a ball in his own half and raced along the left flank. 

He played a right footed pass with the outside of his boot to put his younger brother Rhys in behind the away defence. The 17-year-old was brought down by the diving Tim Martin with referee Mark Houlihan pointing to the spot. 

Max Murphy then managed to fire the 12-yard dead-ball past the fingertips of Martin and seal all three points. 

Following their defeat to Finn Harps last week, and on the back of a two-game losing streak, the Wicklow side made five changes. 

There were full League debuts for defenders Harvey Warren (at right back) and Benjamin Fagbemi (in central defence) while having helped the Irish U17’s reach the 2025 World Cup later this year, there was a first League start of 2025 for O’Neill. 

Conor Knight also came into the line-up on the left flank with Richard Ferizaj also restored to the starting XI. Max Murphy reverted to left-back. 

On the bench, U20 skipper Joshus Kerr was included for the first time in League action, with Philip Cooney also returning amongst to the substitutes. 

Wanderers hit the front in the 53rd minute. 

After Danú Kinsella-Bishop had been fouled, O’Neill struck a 25-yard free-kick that crashed down of the underside of the bar. Kinsella-Bishop was first to the rebound and forced the ball over the goal-line. 

But the goal was awarded to 17-year-old O’Neill, his first senior score for the Seagulls, as it was deemed to have crossed the line off the free0kick. 

But the Munster side equalised in the 61st minute. 

From sub Jason Abbott’s corner, Cian Coleman headed back into the danger zone. 

The ball came off Conor Knight. From the scramble, substitute David Bosnjak appeared to get the final touch close in. 

The Seasiders thought they’d gone back in front in the 73rd minute. 

Sub Paul Murphy got between two Cobh players to gather in Max Murphy’s free. 

The central defender squeezed the ball past Martin. The covering John O’Donovan got a touch. But the ball appeared to have crossed the line before Ramblers captain Shane Griffin hacked clear. 

A corner was given instead of a goal. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Harvey Warren, Kilian Cantwell, Benjamin Fagbemi (Paul Murphy 70), Max Murphy; Jordon Tallon (Guillermo Almirall 83), Cian Doyle; Billy O’Neill, Richard Ferizaj (Rhys Knight 65), Conor Knight; Danú Kinsella-Bishop (Cian Curtis 83). 

 

Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Jamie Ryan, Philip Cooney, Joshua Kerr, Stephen McGuinness 

 

Booked: Doyle 35, Corcoran 82. 

 

Cobh Ramblers: Tim Martin; Cian Bargary, Shane Griffin, Cian Coleman, John O’Donovan; Niall O’Keeffe (Jason Abbott 57), Dale Holland; George Nunn (David Bosnjak 57), Shane Griffin, Barry Coffey; Cian Murphy. 

 

Subs not used: Cathal O’Hanlon, Brendan Frahill, James O’Leary, Nolan Evers, Oscar Ahern, Mikey Carroll, Tiernan O’Brien. 

 

Booked: Bargary 11, Coffey 23, O’Keeffe 39, Shane Griffin 52, Martin 55, Coleman 90 + 4. 

 

Referee: Mark Houlihan (Kildare). 

 

Pictures: Paul Barrett. 

 

Mint + Man of the Match: Billy O’Neill.