Amid terrible playing conditions, Bray picked up their first SSE Airtricity Men's First Division win of the 2026 season. 

Billy O’Neill’s header midway through the second period saw Wanderers leave the Markets Field with all three points on Friday against Treaty. 

After the recent bad weather, the pitch at the Limerick venue was not in the best condition. 

With rain falling at kick-off, the surface cut-up badly in places. And with some surface water, the ball held up in certain patches. 

It was a repeat of the First Division Play-off Final from last November which the Wicklow outfit also won 1-0. 

The result also ended a run of six games without an away victory for Bray against the Shannonsiders – stretching back to February 2023. 

There was three changes to the starting line-up who’d drawn 1-1 at the Carlisle Grounds last week against Longford Town. 

Defender Mark Chidi made his full League debut for the club, as did left-back Ryan Kelly and striker Ifu Achara. 

Both midfielders Ben McCormack and Kyle Tucker would also make their League debuts by coming off the bench in the second half. 

The away side had what could be considered a let-off after just 75 seconds. 

Chidi was adjudged to have brought down Jevontae Layne just outside the box. Referee Glen Geraghty gave a yellow card and a free-kick while the hosts claimed a penalty and a card of a different colour. 

Former Seagull Cian Curtis drilled the dead-ball low and just wide – although Jimmy Corcoran appeared to get a touch. 

The Seasiders went close in the 18th minute. 

Tyriek Sammy latched onto a ball over the top on the left flank. He squared inside to Achara. The striker slid his low ten-yard effort past Jack Brady but wide of the right hand upright. 

Three minutes before the interval, Richard Ferizaj and Sean Brennan combined to release Achara. His curled effort appeared to be deflected narrowly wide, but a goal-kick was awarded. 

Then three minutes into the second half, O’Neill cut inside a tackle to curl over the bar from 14-yards. 

The Green and White’s then hit the front in the 63rd minute. 

Sammy and sub Dan Ring were involved in the box. Cian Doyle took play wide left then set-up Kelly to hang over a cross. O’Neill then steered in a brilliant 12-yard header. 

United nearly grabbed an 85th minute equaliser. 

Curtis got free along the left byline to send a low ball across the six-yard area. Sub Mark Byrne arrived at the back post to prod goalwards. But the covering Kelly blocked well before the line and then cleared the danger. 

 

Treaty United: Jack Brady; Robbie Lynch, Mark Walsh (Benjamin Lee 84), Darren Nwankwo, Benjamin Lynch; Raphael Ohin, Steven Healy, Ben Feeney (Brian Cunningham 81), Jevontae Layne (Mark Byrne 69), Mark Murphy (Jason Folarin Oyenuga 69); Cian Curtis. 

 

Subs not used: Roy Lawlor, Nikodem Kozlowski, Scott Murphy, Fionn Doherty, Kevin Fitzpatrick. 

 

Booked: Nwankwo 83. 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Declan Osagie, Mark Chidi, Ryan Kelly; Cian Doyle, Sean Brennan (Kyle Tucker 71); Billy O’Neill, Richard Ferizaj (Ben McCormack 62), Tyreik Sammy (Conor Knight 71); Ifu Achara (Dan Ring 50). 

 

Subs not used: Alain Kizenga John Bilili Sesay, Aime Azende, Dean O'Shea, Rian Hogan. 

 

Booked: Chidi 2, Duggan 20, O’Neill 87, Kelly 90 + 2. 

 

Referee: Glen Geraghty (Dublin). 

 

Pictures: Paul Barrett.