Bray Wanderers 2 Dundalk 0
Bray picked up their first victory over Dundalk since 2017 to open up the title race SSE Airtricity Men's First Division
In front of the biggest crowd at a Carlisle Grounds this season of 1,712, Wanderers moved to within six points of the leaders courtesy of Max Murphy’s seventh penalty this year. And then substitute Danú Kinsella Bishop’s stoppage time goal.
But under blistering hot conditions on Friday evening, the home club needed a man of the match display by goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran to claim all three points.
It was even better for the Seagulls as second placed Cobh went down 2-1 away to Treaty United.
Dundalk had the large percentage of possession. They had 27 shots and 11 corners.
In comparison, the Green and White’s had five shots; four on target and had just one corner.
But in a rock-solid defensive display saw them record a ninth clan sheet of the campaign, they took their chances and made them count as the final score is the only thing that matters.
The Seasiders were unchanged from the line-up who’d defeated Wexford FC 1-0 the week previous at the same venue.
On the bench, Dylan Barnett returned amongst the substitutes. He was joined by U17 player Flynn Ryan who made the senior squad for the first time as the club’s player pathway keeps producing.
In a tight opening period, the visitors had a 20th minute opportunity. From a short corner, former Wanderer Harry Groome saw his shot well parried by Corcoran with the ball cleared before Eoin Kenny could pounce.
The Wicklow side went into the contest having beaten the other eight teams in the section so far in the 2025 season, with Dundalk the only missing team.
For minutes before the interval, Billy O’Neill were brought down by the challenging Sean Keogh.
The away team claimed the contact was outside the box. But referee Declan Toland pointed to the spot.
After a near 90 seconds delay, Max Murphy sent Enda Minogue the wrong way from the penalty.
The Lilywhites pressed after the interval restart.
But came up against an inspired Corcoran. He kept out Dean Ebbe’s bullet header in the 49th minute.
Daryl Horgan clipped the post off the rebound close in with Bray skipper Kilian Cantwell heading the follow up off the line.
Corcoran took centre stage again in the 57th minute. He pulled off a work class save to claw out Ebbe’s header off the goal-line off Horgan’s cross.
Then on the hour, Eoin Kenny’s mazy run from the centre circle and shot from the edge of the box was superbly tipped over by the former Dundalk custodian.
Away sub Declan McDaid almost equalised on 77. Although he appeared offside when breaking through off the left channel, his right-footed curling effort evaded the far post.
O’Neill went close to doubling Wanderers advantage in the 83rd minute. He dispossessed ex-Bray player John Ross Wilson on the right. Bursting into the box, the teenager dragged his low drive just past the left upright.
Then Max Murphy delivered a free wide right into the danger zone on 85. Cantwell powered in a header which Minogue battled away instinctively.
Yet, Wanderers secured victory in the third minute of injury time, as they made it 2-0.
Corcoran’s long goal-kick wasn’t properly cleared. Cian Doyle nipped in to win tackle.
The ball ran to O’Neill. From the right flank, his ball over the top released sub Kinsella Bishop to round Minogue score from an tight angle.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley (Jordan Tallon 90 + 4); Billy O’Neill, Rhys Knight (Guillermo Almirall 72), Conor Knight (Benjamin Fagbemi 86); Cian Curtis (Danú Kinsella Bishop 72).
Subs not used: Dylan Barnett, Thomas Considine, Flynn Ryan, Matthew Britton, Stephen McGuinness
Booked: Curtis 57, Doyle 63, Corcoran 73, Conor Knight 75, O’Neill 90 + 1, Coach Paul Heffernan 90 + 4, Tallon 90 + 5.
Dundalk: Enda Minogue; John Ross Wilson, Martin Sean McHale, Vincent Leonard, Sean Keogh (Andy Paraschiv half time); Aodh Dervin, Harry Groome (TJ Molly 86); Eoin Kenny (Keith Ward 61), Daryl Horgan, Gbemi Arubi (Declan McDaid 61); Dean Ebbe.
Subs not used: Sean Spaight, Ethen James Vaughan, Shane Tracey, Peter Cherrie, Samuel Safaei.
Booked: Keogh 37, Wilson 84.
Referee: Declan Toland (Midlands).
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
Mint+ Man of the Match: Jimmy Corcoran.
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