Under 17 Match report Bray 2 Dundalk 1

 

A goal in either half from Billy O'Neill was the difference as Bray edged a closely contested U17 EA Sports Group A LOI tie against Dundalk. 

 

With a number of players unavailable for a variety of reasons at the Woodlands in Greystones on Sunday 26 May, it gave the opportunity for U15 players Jack Lawless, Sean Howard and Manny Vaticone to make their debuts at the higher age group. 

 

When the teams met at the start of April at Oriel Park, the Wicklow side left with a 2-0 away triumph. Wanderers took the lead just after the half hour mark. 

Irish U16 cap O'Neill picked the ball up in the centre of the pitch before playing in a lovely ball behind the away defence to release Sean Hennelly. He then picked out O'Neill, who had continued his run in the box, to slot past goalkeeper John Markham. 

 

Yet, the Lilywhite’s dominated the final 15 minutes of the half as sloppy defending and individual errors by the Green and White’s allowed some good chances. 

The Louth outfit finally capitalised when Cian Spaight scored from long range two minutes into stoppage time. 

 

The second half was an even affair and the game looked to be heading to a draw, but the introduction of fresh legs gave Bray an extra spark. With two minutes to go, the Seasiders grabbed what would be the winning goal. Hennelly again caused problems down the right wing. He cut the ball back to sub Sean Howard who moved it on first time for O'Neill to finish. O'Neill was then unlucky not to complete his hat trick after an outstanding save by Markham. 

 

Bray Wanderers (MU17) team: David Winkler; Flynn Ryan, Jack Nolan, Max Free, Bailey Shelley; Eric Schütte, Ethan Cheese; Cristiano Bramley, Bradley Byrne, Sean Hennelly; Billy O'Neill. 

Subs: Conor Lougheed, Ryan Owens, Jack Lawless, Sean Howard, Emanuele Vaticone, Alex Forde. 

 

Pictures: Ethan Finnerty