Match Report - First Division Play-off Semi Final Second Leg - UCD 1 Bray Wanderers 0
Posted on 29th October 2024 at 20:24
UCD 1 Bray Wanderers 0
For the first time since 2021, Bray will contest the SSE Airtricity First Division Play-Off Final.
That’s after their 2-1 aggregate victory over UCD following a 1-0 Semi Final second leg loss on Monday evening at raucous Belfield Bowl.
With the majority of the 1,112 in attendance away supporters, the Seagulls played with ten men for the final half hour of normal time after substitute Paul Murphy was controversially red carded.
Ronan Finn scored an 89th minute penalty for the Students to reduce the deficit after Guillermo Almirall and Cristian Magerusan’s first leg goals.
They Green and White’s then had seven more minutes of additional time before the final whistle set-up a clash with Athlone Town on Saturday November 2 at Dalymount Park in Dublin.
But it was overall squad display that stood out.
Blocks, tackles, and interventions were made; clearing headers; and a strong defensive line.
The players dug in; dug deep when required. To a man, they battled.
That meant that the Wicklow side hit on the counter-attack as they soaked up pressure.
With injury ruling out Zach Nolan, John O’Sullivan came into the Wanderers first 11 on the left wing with Kieran Cruise dropping back to left-full.
Evan Osam made his return from injury to take his place on the bench.
As for the Student’s, they made four changes from the first tie with Sean Brennan, Mikey Raggett, Ciaran Behan, and former Wanderer Stephen Mohan coming into their line-up.
In a tight opening period, Adam Wells went close for the hosts of the 12th minute when his curling 20-yard shot from the left narrowly missed the far post.
In comparison, the second period was action-packed. Mohan saw his 53rd minute cross came back off the bar.
Then away sub Paul Murphy was shown a red card in the 58th minute for a strong challenge on Wells in front of the main stand.
The Bray player appeared to win the ball cleanly with the UCD player tumbling over him – which may have swayed referee Declan Toland in his harsh decision.
With the extra player advantage, the ‘College pressed forward.
But Jimmy Corcoran pulled off a great save on the hour to thwart Eanna Clancy from distance.
Behan along with subs Donal Higgins and Danu Kinsella Bishop were all then denied by the Seasiders’ custodian while sub Jake Doyle and Mikey McCullagh both fired over.
The home team were awarded a disputed 89th minute penalty when Max Murphy was adjudged to have tripped Behan just inside the area.
Veteran skipper Finn scored from the spot.
But it was Bray’s night - as they advanced to the final for the second time in four years.
UCD: Kian Moore; Luke O'Regan; Eanna Clancy, Niall Holohan (Donal Higgins 66); Adam Wells; Sean Brennan (Danu Kinsella Bishop 72), Ronan Finn; Ciaran Behan, Sam Norval (Jake Doyle 57), Stephen Mohan (Michael McCullagh 57); Mikey Raggett (Hugh Parker 57).
Subs not used: Alex Dunne, Harry Curtis, Adam Verdon, Dara Kavanagh.
Booked: Clancy 65.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Kilian Cantwell, Cole Omorehiomwan, Kieran Cruise (Paul Murphy 43); Darren Craven, Harry Groome; Guillermo Almirall (Jamie Duggan 62), Shane Griffin, John O'Sullivan; Cristian Magerusan (Ben Feeney 73).
Subs: Evan Osam, Conor Knight, Josh McGlone, Rhys Knight, Billy O'Neill, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Magerusan 7, Max Murphy 72
Sent off: Paul Murphy 59.
Referee: Declan Toland (Midlands).
Pictures: Stephen McCarthy (Sportsfile).
Tagged as: Senior Team
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