Match Report - Longford Town 1 Bray Wanderers 2

 

Billy O’Neill grabbed a late winner as Bray moved up to joint-second in the SSE Airtricity First Division table. 

The 17-year-old scored once in each half as Wanderers registered hat-trick of wins in the 2025 season over Longford. 

The victory – the Seagulls’ 15th - bringing them level with leaders Dundalk; moved the Green and White’s level on points with Cobh. 

Having had the better of the opening half hour exchanges in which Irish U17 international O’Neill had the visitors in front, the ‘Town levelled before the interval. 

In a tight and at times physical (but fair) second period, the Midlanders shaded the chances. 

But the Wicklow club recorded their fifth consecutive win in all competitions thanks to O’Neill’s sixth League goal of the campaign in the 87th minute. 

From the starting team who defeated Wayside Celtic 3-0 last week in the Sports Direct FAI Cup at the Carlisle Grounds, the Wicklow side made four changes. 

Recent signing Sean Brennan was handed a full League debut while Paul Murphy, Rhys Knight and Cian Curtis all returned. 

On the bench, Harvey Warren returned from injury to join Stephen McGuinness, Richard Ferizaj and U17 player Flynn Ryan amongst the substitutes. 

Bray hit the front in the 15th minute. 

Curtis chased a ball near the left endline. He then cut in towards the box. Conor Knight won a tackle with the ball running to Curtis on the left. 

He then drove low towards the six-yard area. O’Neill gathered, then swivelled to drill in low into the far right bottom corner of the net. 

Six minutes later, O’Neill’s 22-yard free took a nick off the wall. And into Harry Halwax’s arms. 

Somewhat against the run of play, the home team equalised just on the half hour. 

After a charge down wide left, Daragh Murtagh fed Emre Topcu who angled his run with the ball to the left. 

He then played a slide rule pass to slip in Daniel Norris just inside the penalty. And the winger guided a low first time placed finish to the far right corner of the net. 

Remarkably, it was the first goal the Green and White’s had conceded in 391 minutes of action. 

Five minutes later, O’Neill led a break up the middle. He sprayed a pass right to the on-rushing Brennan. But Halwax made a parried save to safety. 

Four minutes into the second period, Jimmy Corcoran got down low to smother ex-Seagull Stefan Ugbesia low effort from the edge of the box. 

On 67, O’Neill went close again. He cut in off the left flank. But his curling righted footed attempt bent past the far post. 

Sixty seconds later at the other end, the ‘Town had an opportunity. 

Aaron Doran found Norris on the left. His low shot from just inside the area was clawed out low by Corcoran, with Kilian Cantwell blocking Murtagh’s follow up before hacking clear. 

Longford made for changes in the 72nd minute. It almost paid dividend seconds later. Sub Emmanuel Oluwafemi’s low effort was pushed out by Corcoran with the rebound bobbling away from Kye Robinson close in. 

Bray reserve Richard Ferizaj had an 80th minute chance off Jamie Duggan’s right-wing cross. But the teenager’s header was claimed by Halwax. 

But the win for the Seasiders was sealed with three minutes of normal time remaining. 

Corcoran came for and caught Halwax’s free into the box. The Wanderers custodian launched a ball forward. 

A clearing header saw Rhys Bartley challenge for possession. O’Neill reacted to the tackle 35-yards and burst towards goal. 

He weaved past three opponents, and faced by two defenders on the edge of the penalty area, drilled low from the ‘D in to the left hand corner od the net. 

 

Longford Town: Harry Halwax; Eric Yoro, Oisin Hand, Dean O'Shea; Osaze Irhue, Emre Topcu, Pharrell Manuel, Daniel Norris (Emmanuel Oluwafemi 72); Aaron Doran (Dean George 72); Daragh Murtagh (Francis Campbell 72), Stefan Ugbesia (Kyle Robinson 72). 

 

Subs not used: Mohammed Bodiaf, Ryan Boyle, Sean Moore, Andrew Spain, Kian Moore. 

 

Booked: Manuel 21. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Kilian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Sean Brennan (Dylan Barnett 90); 

Billy O'Neill, Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 71), Conor Knight (Guillermo Almirall 62); Cian Curtis (Danú Kinsella Bishop 62). 

 

Subs not used: Harvey Warren, Flynn Ryan, Benjamin Fagbemi, Cristiano Bramley, Stephen McGuinness. 

 

Booked: Paul Murphy 40, Ferizaj 77. 

 

Referee: Daryl Carolan (Louth). 

 

Pictures: Paul Barrett.