Match Report - Bray Wanderers 6 UCD 0, Jul 10, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

Bray Wanderers produced a statement performance on Friday night as they dismantled promotion rivals UCD 6-0 in front of an ecstatic Carlisle Grounds crowd. 

 

Paul Heffernan’s side were relentless throughout, combining sharp attacking football with an intensity that UCD struggled to match. Ifunanyachi Achara was the star of the evening with a superb hat-trick, while Ryan Kelly, Daniel Ring and Endri Mustali also got on the scoresheet as Bray climbed into second place with an emphatic victory. 

 

The hosts settled quickly and deservedly broke the deadlock after 18 minutes when Achara finished confidently after Bray forced another turnover high up the pitch. Just four minutes later the striker doubled both his own tally and Bray’s advantage, reacting quickest inside the penalty area to leave the visitors with a mountain to climb before the interval. 

 

Any hopes of a UCD response disappeared almost immediately after the restart. Ryan Kelly struck within a minute of the second half before Achara completed his hat-trick five minutes later, finishing another slick attacking move to make it 4-0. Bray continued to dominate possession and created chances almost at will, pinning the Students inside their own half for long periods. 

 

Daniel Ring added a deserved fifth with 13 minutes remaining, while substitute Endri Mustali completed the scoring four minutes from time to cap a memorable evening for the Seagulls. The six-goal margin reflected Bray’s superiority as they controlled every area of the pitch and prevented UCD from building any sustained attacking momentum. 

 

It was one of Bray Wanderers’ most complete performances of the campaign, with their attacking flair matched by a disciplined defensive display that secured another clean sheet. The result strengthens their push near the top of the First Division and sends them into the next round of fixtures full of confidence after a dominant East Coast Derby triumph. 

 

Paul Heffernan’s men face Finn Harps next Friday, 17th July in the Second Round of the FAI Cup. Kick off at Finn Park is at 7:45pm and the 1985 Seagulls are running a Supporters Bus to the game. To book your seat email 1985seagulls@gmail.com 

 

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Declan Osagie, Benjamin Fagbemi, Dean O’Shea; John Bilili Sesay, Cian Doyle; Ifu Achara, Richard Ferizaj, Ryan Kelly; Dan Ring 

 

SUBS: Jamie Ryan for Sesay (52); Tyreik Sammy for Kelly (66); Kyle Tucker for Ferizaj (67); Endri Mustali for Ring (77); Jamie Duggan for Kizenga (77). 

 

UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luca Cailloce, Eanna Clancy, Sean Murphy, Adam Wells; Thomas Morley; Michael McCullagh, Louis Dignam, Ciaran Behan, Stephen Mohan . 

 

SUBS: Mathew Alonge for Wells (56); Killian Cailloce for Smith (56); Harry Curtis for Mohan (56); Gerody Lavin for Behan (72). 

 

Attendance: 806 (official) 

 

Referee: Glen Geraghty.