Bray Wanderers 3 UCD 2 (Bray win 4-2 on aggregate)
For the second year in row, Bray reached the First Division Play-off Final.
That’s after for the second year in a row, Wanderers defeated UCD in the First Division Play-off Semi Final.
Leading 1-0 from the first leg last Friday at the Bowl, the Seagulls – in front of a season best crowd of 2,030 at the Carlisle Grounds on Tuesday – defeated the ‘College 3-2 in the second leg to claim a 4-2 overall victory.
There was one change to the Green and White’s line-up from the first leg, with Conor Knight replacing Guillermo Almirall on the right wing.
That saw Leon Keogh filled the void on the bench.
The Seasiders won a corner in the third minute and a lovely delivery into the box by Max Murphy was met by the deft head of skipper Kilian Cantwell, which saw the ball trickle over the line.
Things could have gone from bad to worse for the visitors in the 23rd minute.
A long ball seemed to have fallen in behind for Cian Curtis, where he appeared to be pulled back by Eanna Clancy.
However, and amazingly, referee Daniel Murphy took no action waved play on – when the fuller punished for a last man action could have easily resulted.
The Students pulled themselves back into the tie in the 26th minute.
A Ciaran Behan corner by was allowed bounce in the Bray box. First to arrive was Brian McManus, who smashed a half-volley into the net to level the game on the night.
The home side were not to be deterred by this setback and pushed on for a second. Justin Ferizaj flashed a shot from the edge of the box just wide in the 35th minute, after Rhys Knight’s right-wing centre.
There was another contentious moment just before half time.
Rhys Knight was felled by McManus. A yellow card came out when a red could have easily been brandished.
The second half opened tentatively but that suited the home side, who looked to have put an end to UCD’s diminishing hopes in the 61st minute.
Substitute Sean Brennan drove forward with the ball before playing a great pass in behind for Curtis.
The Bray forward put his first attempt straight at the on-rushing Dara Kavanagh.
But the ball kindly fell back to his feet, with Curtis slotting the ball into the empty net for his tenth goal in all competitions this season.
The clubs exchanged good chances after that. Richard Ferizaj’s run and shot saw the ball clip the bar. Then at the other end, the unmarked Behan guided a free header wide.
The Seagulls wrapped up proceedings in the 92nd minute.
Richard Ferizaj raced in behind the away, off a through ball from his brother Justin, and side-footed a composed low finish, to spark home celebrations.
UCD pulled one back very late on through sub Hugh Smith in the 95th minute, when hooking a 12-yard volley to the net off a cross from the right flank.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga (Jamie Duggan 66), Killian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley; Conor Knight (Paul Murphy 85); Rhys Knight (Sean Brennan 57), Justin Ferizaj; Cian Curtis (Richard Ferizaj 85).
Subs not used: Leon Keogh, Benjamin Fagemi, Cristiano Bramley, Matthew Britton, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Curtis 12.
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Adam Wells, Eanna Clancy, Niall Holohan (Killian Cailloce 75), Brian McManus; Adam Verdon (Hugh Smith 66); Mikey McCullagh (Louis Dignam 66) Ciaran Behan, Ronan Finn, Adam Brennan (Michael Raggett, 90); Jake Doyle.
Subs not used: Carl Lennox, Declan Osagie, Matthew Alonge, Luke O’Regan, Colin Bolton, Noah Douglas.
Booked: McManus 41, Behan 56.
Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin).
Mint + Man of the Match: Cian Curtis.
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
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