Match Report - UCD 0 Bray Wanderers 1

 

Bray recorded their first away win over UCD since 2020 as they climbed up to third place in the SSE Airtricity First Division. 

Having been postponed last month, Wanderers ground out a third 1-0 away success so far in the 2025 season as Max Murphy proved to be the match winner for the second time in four days. 

Having slotted in the injury-time 12-yard winner at the Carlisle Grounds against Cobh last Friday, the defender converted his third penalty of the campaign midway through the first half on Monday at the Bowl. 

Billy O’Neill’s 25-yard free-kick was parried out by ‘Student’s keeper Kian Moore in the 22nd minute. 

Harvey Warren went to hit the rebound but was fouled which led to the Green and Whites third penalty in four games. 

Just like Dundalk and Cobh. Max Murphy made no mistake from the spot to ensure the Wicklow outfit claimed back to back League victories for the first time since August 2024. 

Just before the goal, home midfielder Sean Brennan picked up a yellow card. He was booked again in the 24th minute as the hosts were reduced to ten men. 

From the team who’d beaten Cobh 2-1 last Friday at the Carlisle Grounds, the Seagulls made three changes. 

Into the starting line-up came Rhys Knight, Calum Costello (after suspension) and Guillermo Almirall (his first league start of the campaign). 

On the bench, Alain Kizenga and Rhys Bartley joined the substitutes. 

The pitch at the Bowl was very, heavily sanded which did not help each teams’ passing game on a bumpy surface. 

After falling behind, the ‘College’s Mikey Raggett fired wide inside the box in the 33rd minute under pressure from Benjamin Fagbemi. 

Seconds later, Almirall got in behind the home defence. But his attempted lobbed chip over Moore was batted down by the keeper. 

Just before the interval, Costello’s low shot was smothered by Moore. 

The visitors went close to a second score in the 53rd minute. 

Space opened up ahead of Warren to strike from 25-yards. 

His swerving shot crashed back off the bar. Costello’s follow-up led to calls for a penalty which were turned down. Danú Kinsella Bishop attempt off the loose ball was then blazed over. 

Despite their one-man disadvantage, UCD grew into the game after that. 

Their best opportunity to draw level came in the 63rd minute. 

Sub Luke O’Regan found fellow half time replacement Brian McManus free in the box. But his low drive was straight at Jimmy Corcoran. 

 

UCD: Kian Moore; Cathal McCarty, Carl Lennox (Luke O'Regan half time), Niall Holohan (Ronan Finn 88), Adam Wells; Sean Brennan, Adam Verdon (Jake Doyle 59); Ciaran Behan, Killian Cailloce, Adam Brennan (Brian McManus half time); Mikey Raggett (Michael McCullagh 59). 

 

Subs not used: Matthew Alonge, Colin Bolton, Odhran McLaughlin, Dara Kavanagh. 

 

Booked: Willie O’Connor (at half time). 

 

Sent off: Sean Brennan (booked 21 and 24). 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Harvey Warren, Kilian Cantwell, Benjamin Fagbemi, Max Murphy; Guillermo Almirall (Jordan Tallon 64), Cian Doyle (Conor Knight 64); Billy O'Neill, Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 77), Calum Costello (Alain Kizenga 77); Danú Kinsella Bishop (Cian Curtis 84). 

 

Subs not used: Jamie Duggan, Paul Murphy, Phillip Cooney, Stephen McGuinness. 

 

Booked: Warren 17, Cian Doyle 57, Tallon 77, Ferizaj 81 O’Neill 82, 

 

Referee: David Dunne 

 

Pictures: Tyler Miller (Sportsfile).