UCD 3 Bray Wanderers 2
With an SSE Airtricity Men's Division play-off prize on offer, Bray suffered late heartbreak against UCD.
Having taken the lead at the Bowl on Friday, the Wicklow side then levelled at 2-2 by the break in one of the most entertaining first 45 minutes in the 2025 season so far.
But the Students grabbed an 87th minute winner to claim a 3-2 victory.
From the team who’d beaten Wexford away seven days previous, there was one change for the visitors.
Benjami Fagbemi started at left back as Max Murphy dropped to the bench.
Among the substitutes, Philip Cooney came in.
Wanderers took a ninth minute lead.
Justin Ferizaj floated over a left-wing corner right footed. Cian Doyle rose just past the penalty spot above an opponent. His downward header fell to the unmarked Rhys Bartley.
The on-loan midfielder then turned and shot in the one motion to register his first senior goal for the club from close range.
But that cushion was short-lived as UCD equalised by the 12th minute.
Adam Verdon clipped over a free from the right left footed. It dropped in the six-yard area with Declan Osagie steering in a header which Jimmy Corcoran got a hand to as it crossed the line.
The was a touch of controversy in the 17th minute.
Cian Doyle pounced on a loose ball and burst forward to slip a pass for the breaking Cian Curtis to slot into the net.
But the flag was raised for offside although it appeared the attacker was onside.
The ‘College made the most of that let-off on the half hour.
Referee Delan Toland played advantage as Cian Doyel fouled Louis Dignam. The ball ran to Jake Doyle.
He was initially blocked off but gathered the ball again. Jinking in the ‘D, he drove in low. The ball struck the bottom of the left hand upright and rolled along the line before going in off the right hand post.
Home custodian Dara Kavanagh twice denied Cian Doyle in the 36th and 42nd minutes, while in between (38), Justin Ferizaj’s effort looped just over the crossbar.
But the Seasiders made it all square in the 44th minute.
Guillermo Almirall sprayed possession wide right across to the left flank to pick out Justin Ferizj.
The winger twisted and turned before delivering a cross which was met by Almirall’s superb glancing header into the top right corner of the net.
In a tighter second half, clear cut chances were fewer.
The home team went close in the 61st minute as Hugh Smith’s header saw Jake Doyle get a touch yards from the goal-line. But Fagbemi cleared the danger.
Two minutes later, Adam Brennan squared from the right to set-up Smith. But Corcoran got down well low at his right post to save.
Bray had the chance to retake the lead in the 85th minute.
Cooney won possession on the right of midfield and ran towards the Students area. He fed Curtis and the ball ran kindly for Cooney. But in the box, Kavanagh made himself big to make the vital block.
Then UCD snatched the winner with three minutes of normal time remaining.
Former Wanderer Stephen Mohan swung over a cross from the right. At the back stick, Alan Kizenga was challenged by Adam Brennan. The ball rebounded off both of them and rolled over the line from four yards out.
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Declan Osagie, Eanna Clancy, Carl Lennox, Adam Wells; Adam Verdon; Adam Brennan, Louis Dignam (Sam Norval 74), Jake Doyle, Michael Raggett (Stephen Mohan 69); Hugh Smith (Killian Cailloce 74).
Subs not used: Colin Bolton, Odhran McLaughlin, Ryan McBrearty, Kyle Donoghue, Harry Whelan, Noah Douglas.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Benjamin Fagbemi (Dylan Barnett 81); Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle (Conor Knight 72); Guillermo Almirall (Phillip Cooney 76), Rhys Knight (Richard Ferizaj 72), Justin Ferizaj; Cian Curtis.
Subs not used: Max Murphy, Jamie Duggan, Paul Murphy, Cristiano Bramley, Stephen McGuinness.
Booked: Cian Doyle 30, Graham Kelly (coach) 44, Almirall 69, Bartley 83.
Referee: Declan Toland (Midlands).
Pictures: Paul Barrett.
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