Match Report - Bray Wanderers 2 UCD 0

Posted on 22nd April 2025 at 17:53

Bray Wanderers 2 UCD 0

History.

The record books were re-written as Bray claimed their sixth SSE Airtricity Men's First Division win in a row for the first time in the club’s League of Ireland history.

First goals for the club by defender Harvey Warren and striker Danú Kinsella-Bishop in each half saw the Seagulls edge out UCD 2-0 in front of a bumper Monday crowd at the Carlisle Grounds.

With leaders Dundalk held by Finn Harps to a draw at Oriel Park, the results mean the second placed Green and White’s trail the Lilywhite’s by just three points after the 11 games of the campaign.

From the team who’d beaten Longford 4-0 at the same venue last Friday, there was one change as Rhys Knight was drafted in.

There was also one change on the bench as Jordan Tallon returned from injury to take his place amongst the substitutes.

Wanderers went close to breaking the deadlock after just four minutes.

Played in wide right of the box, Billy O’Neill’s centre picked out Conor Knight. But his effort was brilliantly kept out by Dara Kavanagh.

The Seasiders did forge the breakthrough before the interval.

In the 35th minute, Rhys Knight lofted a pass out left to his brother Conor Knight. He in turn hooked a pass into the box for Cian Doyle to run onto. Hitting a left footed volley on the run, the midfielder saw his shot parried out for a corner by Kavanagh.

From the flag kick, Bray scored.

Max Murphy delivered right footed from the left. Warren got in front of his marker to apply the finishing touch close in at the back post.

That cushioned was added to in the 63rd minute.

O’Neill cut the back from the right of the penalty area. Substitute Richard Ferizaj got a touch to divert the ball back into the path of Conor Knight. His low strike came back off the left upright.

However, it sat up straight to Kinsella Biship who volleyed in from close range.

Wanderers pressed in the closing stages.

Kavanagh brough off a wonderful to divert Max Murphy curling shot out for a corner in the 74th minute.

Then in the 79th minute, in a break from their own half, the hosts switched the attack from left to right.

Ferizaj played the ball across from the right of the box. Kinsella Bishop couldn’t reach. It came to Max Murphy who saw his effort brilliantly stopped by the UCD keeper.

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle (Jordan Tallon 72); Billy O'Neill (Guillermo Almirall 84), Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 58), Conor Knight (Calum Costello 72); Cian Curtis (Danú Kinsella Bishop 58).

Subs not used: Thomas Considine, Alain Kizenga, Benjamin Fagbemi, Stephen McGuinness.

Booked: Cian Doyle 45, Rhys Knight 55, Kilian Cantwell 81.

UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luke O'Regan, Niall Holohan (Carl Lennox half time), Cathal McCarty, Adam Wells; Ronan Finn (Brian McManus for 65),

Sean Brennan (Ben Mahon 79); Ciaran Behan (Mikey Raggett half time), Michael McCullagh, Killian Cailloce, Jake Doyle (Adam Brennan 64).

Subs not used: Colin Bolton, Odhran McLaughlin, Kyle Donoghue, Kian Moore.

Booked: McCarthy 90 + 5.

Referee: Daryl Carolan (Louth).

Mint+ Man of the Match: Harvey Warren.

Pictures: Stefan Teehan.