Match Report - Cork City 1 Bray Wanderers 0, February 27, 2026

It proved third time unlucky as Bray suffered their first SSE Airtricity Men's First Division loss of the season. 

Sean Maguire’s first half goal proved decisive as Cork claimed all three points on Friday at the Munster FA Turner’s Cross Stadium. 

Wanderers skipper Jimmy Corcorna put in a man of the match display, by pulling off a string of top-class saves. 

City had the better of the opening period and created a series of chances. 

The visitors came into the tie late in the first 45. And had spells in the second half. But could not find the vital equaliser. 

There were three changes to the starting line-up who beaten Treaty United away last week. 

There was a full senior League debut for midfielder Kyle Tucker. 

Dan Ring started in attack with Alain Kizenga returning at right back. 

On the bench, Benjamin Fagbemi returned to feature amongst the substitutes for the first time this term in League action. 

The Leesiders started brightly, with Corcoran racing off his line to thwart Ruairi Keating on the ninth minute. 

But City did forge a 15th minute breakthrough. 

Greg Bolger sprayed play wide right. Joshua Fitzpatrick then whipped in a cross which Maguire headed to the net at the near post. 

City continued to press. Corcoran flicked Hans Kamta Mpongo’s cross-shot out for a corner in the 21st minute. From the delivery, Fiacre Kelleher headed straight in the goalkeepers arms. 

Two minutes later, Keating spun off an opponent in the box. Corcoran made the save, with the follow up deflected out for a corner. 

Then seven minutes before the interval the covering Ryan Kelly cut-out a through ball. Having got there ahead of Corcoran, Maguire pounced on the loose ball. But fired into the side netting. 

The second half was a more even affair. 

In the 52nd minute, the covering Declan Osagie blocked Maguire’s effort on the goal-line. 

At the other end on 62, Tyreik Sammy cut-in of the left but curled his placed shot wide of the far post. 

Five minutes later, Corcoran again dived to his left to parry out Mpongo’s low strike. 

Moments later came Bray’s best opportunity to draw level. 

Billy O’Neill was slipped in along the right channel. But his effort was brilliant saved by Conor Brann in the penalty area. 

With 13 minutes of normal time remaining, sub Jamie Duggan releases O’Neill on the right flank. His pull back found another sub Ben McCormack. But the midfielder scooped over the bar from 15-yards out. 

Then in the 89th minute, the away custodian pulled off a another save to deny Mpongo. 

Deep into stoppage time, after a breakaway, a combination of Corcoran and Duggan prevented Mpongo from adding to the host tally. 

 

Cork City: Conor Brann; Rory Feely, Fiacre Kelleher, Charlie Lyons (Conor Drinan 78); Greg Bolger, Darragh Crowley; Joshua Fitzpatrick (Harry Nevin 65), Cillian Murphy, Hans Kamta Mpongo; Sean Maguire, Ruairi Keating (Matthew Kiernan 87). 

 

Subs not used: AJ Bridge, Niall O'Keeffe, Matthew Murray, Brody Lee, David Odumosu. 

 

Booked: Bolger 29, Lyons 54, Keating 64. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga (Jamie Duggan 61), Mark Chidi, Declan Osagie, Ryan Kelly (Dean O’Shea 61); Kyle Tucker (Richard Ferizaj 61), Cian Doyle; Billy O'Neill, Sean Brennan (Ben McCormack 73), Tyreik Sammy; Daniel Ring (Aime Azende 73). 

 

Subs not used: Benjamin Fagbemi, John Bilili Sesay, Conor Knight, Rian Hogan. 

 

Booked: Doyle 33, Kelly 59, Ferizaj 69. 

 

Referee: Oliver Moran (Dublin). 

 

Pictures: Paul Barrett.