Match Report - Cobh Ramblers 3 Bray Wanderers 1

 

The 2025 season became clearer for Bray after Friday’s SSE Airtricity Men's First Division defeat away to Cobh. 

Despite an improved performance of late, Wanderers went down 3-1 to still title chasing Ramblers at St. Colman’s Park. 

With a top-two position now beyond the Wicklow club’s reach, it now means that the Seagulls will face a repeat of the 2024 Play-off Semi Final against UCD on a two-legged basis at the end of October. 

There was a first start for the club on the right wing for Wicklow native Matthew Britton. 

Sean Brennan returned from suspension to start in midfield. 

Connor Knight came in on the left flank which Richard Ferizaj coming into the line-up just behind Billy O’Neill in the attack. 

On the bench, teenage defender Jack Lawless came in amongst the substitutes. 

It all meant there were four teenagers in the starting XI; with another four teenagers named as subs. 

All told, the average age of the squad of 20 players was just 21. 

Just like the fixture at the same venue last May when the Green and White’s took an early lead, they repeated that feat with just 77 seconds on the clock. 

Max Murphy, Brennan and Conor Knight all had a touch in their own half before Justin Ferizaj whipped a pass to Britton. 

From the centre circle, the on-loan Shamrock Rovers played whipped a ball up the middle for O’Neill to chase. 

The striker got between two defenders before slotting past Timothy Martin (who got a touch) low from 12-yards. 

But that joy was short-lived as the hosts were back on level terms by the fifth minute. 

From a throw wide left, Niall O'Keeffe swung over a cross. Barry Coffey leaped between two players to knock the ball down. It dropped to Cian Murphy who volleyed in from ten-yards. 

From then until the interval Cobh had the better of the play. 

On 14, former seasider Dylan McGlade sent over a right-wing centre which was met by Cian Murphy’s header. But Jimmy Cocircoan superbly dived to tip the ball onto the bar. 

Seconds later from the opposite flank, Cian Bargary’s cross bounced off the top of the bar. 

In the 29th minute, McGlade was the provider again. This time, he picked out the unmarked Coffey. But his header went straight into Corcoran’s arms. 

Then in the 37th minute, a combination of Alain Kizenga and Cocoran thwarted Coffey close in off a scramble, with Harvey Warren blocking Cian Murphy’s follow up. 

The home team made their chances pay in the 44th minute. 

McGlade again bobbled a hanging ball into the box. Cian Murphy’s touch set up Coffey to swivel a low left footed drive through a crowded goalmouth from 14-yards. 

The second half was a much tighter affair, with the visitors having plenty of possession. 

On 68, Justin Ferizaj linked with sub Cian Curtis. The ball came to Brennan who span off a tackle but dragged his low 20-yard effort wide of the target. 

Seven minutes later, Justin Ferizaj dinked a ball into the box off the right. But Curtis’ back header landed straight at Martin. 

However, the home custodian was beaten in the 77th minute by Max Murphy’s audacious attempt from the right of the halfway line. Unfortunately, the ball dropped just wide of the left hand upright. 

Ramblers introduced sub John O’Donovan in the 79th minute. By the 80th minute, he had made it 3-1. 

Coffey slipped in Bargary who chipped up an end line cross which O’Donovan glanced into the right corner of the net with a header. 

Bray coach Graham Kelly was dismissed with eight minutes of normal time remaining for a second bookable offence. 

 

Cobh Ramblers: Timothy Martin; Iestyn Hughes, Cian Coleman, Jonas Häkkinen, Shane Griffin; Niall O'Keeffe, Rhys Gourdie; Cian Bargary (Samuel Bellis 82), Barry Coffey, Dylan McGlade (John O'Donovan 79); Cian Murphy. 

 

Subs not used: Nolan Evers, Mikey Carroll, Evan Deasy, Luka Le Bervet, Jason Abbott, Matthew Whelan, Oisin Barry. 

 

Booked: Le Bervet 90 + 3. 

 

Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren (Paul Murphy 58), Max Murphy; Justin Ferizaj; Sean Brennan; Matthew Britton (Cian Curtis 58), Richard Ferizaj (Rhys Knight 58), 

Conor Knight (Cristiano Bramley 81); Billy O'Neill. 

 

Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Jack Lawless, Flynn Ryan, Benjamin Fagbemi, Stephen McGuinness. 

 

Booked: Paul Heffernan (coach) 21, Mac Murphy 23, O’Neill 44, Justin Ferizaj 86. 

 

Sent off: Graham Kelly (coach) – booked 31 and 82. 

 

Referee: Declan Toland (Midlands).