Match Report - Dundalk 2 Bray Wanderers 2

 

 

It may have taken 14 matches in the 2025 SSE Airtricity Men's First Division. But Bray finally drew a League game of football this year. 

However, the 2-2 scoreline stalemate at Oriel Park does not tell the true story of the top of the table clash. 

Wanderers played out the final 22 minutes of the second period on Friday night with just ten players after Cian Doyle’s contentious red card. 

Unbeaten leaders Dundalk had taken a first half breakthrough. But away skipper Killian Cantwell drew the Wicklow team level by half time. 

With the one-man deficit, the visitors then took an 88th minute lead off Harvey Warren’s rebound. 

But the Lilywhite’s salvaged a point with a 92nd minute equaliser. 

The Seagulls retained the same starting XI from last week’s defeat away to Cobh. 

But there was two changes on the bench with Richard Ferizaj and Leon Keogh coming in amongst the substitutes. 

The Louth outfit hit the front on 19 minutes. 

Keith Ward’s cross was headed clear. The ball dropped to Sean McHale in the left of the box. His drive swerved past a number of players before finding the far right corner of the net from 15-yards. 

But playing in the away strip of Royal Blue, the Garden County club hit back in the 31st minute. 

Max Murphy whipped a free-kick in from the right flank. Kilian Cantwell challenged 12-yards out, with his stopping header going in just in the far left upright. 

The second period was a cagey but tight affair. 

On 56, Max Murphy clipped a right wing corner over. Warren made a front post run., His header appeared to be dipping under the bar. But former Seagull Peter Cherrie made a great save to tip the ball over the bar. 

The contentious talking point arrived in the 68th minute. 

Mayowa Animasahun broke from his own area. But went down when challenged by Cian Doyle. 

There appeared to be minimal contact. 

Having been yellow carded in the 39th minute, referee Daniel Murphy brandished a second booking for the midfielder. 

It brought a strong reaction for the Wanderers’ dug-out – with First Team Coach Paul Heffernan and the substituted Conor Knight booked for their protests. 

Dundalk tried to press home the extra man. Keith Ward curled a 22-yard free narrowly wide on 74. 

Then on 83, Cantwell came to the rescue with a goal-line leader to prevent substitute Dean Ebbe’s header dropping in. 

The away team went close in the 86th minute as sub Calum Costello’s snapshot in the ‘D was kept out by Cherrie’s diving save. 

Despite the extra man disadvantage, Bray showed the character that has come to summarise the squad and management. 

In the 88th minute, Max Murphy unleased a 25-yard free kick right footed on the left of the box. 

It dipped with Cherrie get a feint touch to tip the ball onto the crossbar. But Warren followed up to smash the ball in low from close range – sending the travelling support in raptures. 

Unfortunately, two minutes into time added on, the Louth side drew level. 

Sean Keogh sent over a right wing corner left footed. At a crowded near post, sub Gbemi Arubi rose to steer in a header. 

 

Dundalk: Peter Cherri; Conor O’Keeffe, Vincent Leonard, Mayowa Animasahun, Sean McHale (Andy Paraschiv 59); Keith Ward (Gbemi Arubi 89), Shane Tracey (TJ Molloy Murray 89); Leo Gaxha, Daryl Horgan, Sean Keogh; Eoin Kenny (Dean Ebbe half time). 

 

Subs not used: Luke Mulligan, Sean Spaight, Cian Spaight, Enda Minogue, Samuel Safaei. 

 

Booked: Keogh 45 + 1, Gaxha 87. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle; Billy O'Neill, Rhys Knight (Jamie Ryan 71), Conor Knight (Calum Costello 65); 14Cian Curtis (Guillermo Almirall 80). 

 

Subs not used: Thomas Considine, Jordan Tallon, Leon Keogh, Benjamin Fagbemi, Richard Ferizaj, Stephen McGuinness. 

 

Booked: Paul Heffernan 69, Conor Knight 69, Cantwell 73, Corcoran 84. 

 

Sent off: Doyle (booked 39 and 68). 

 

Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin). 

 

Pictures: Tyler Miller (Sportsfile).