Oct 12,2024
Shane Griffin's 75th-minute equaliser at home to Finn Harps ensured that Bray Wanderers’ playoff destiny remains in their own hands ahead of next week’s SSE Airtricity Men's First Division finale.
The Seagulls will secure a top-five finish next weekend away to Cobh Ramblers with a win, though a draw could be enough due to their superior goal difference.
Harps must defeat Wexford and Treaty United both at home in their remaining games to keep their slim hopes alive though.
But the Co Donegal side will rue their inability to hold onto the lead twice away to Bray with goals from Tony McNamee and Success Edogun cancelled out by Bray strikes via Guillermo Almirall and Shane Griffin.
It was the hosts who impressed early on, and they should have opened the scoring in the 13th minute when striker Cristian Magerusan forced a fine save from Ireland under-19 keeper Oisin Cooney after burrowing his way past Matthew Makinson.
And former Bohemians hitman Magerusan went close again on the half hour when he kept Cooney honest with a ferocious shot at the near post.
But the Seagulls were made to pay for their missed opportunities when Harps broke the deadlock nine minutes before the interval through McNamee.
A defensive error from Cole Omorehiomwan was punished by the visitors as Jamie Watson stepped inside to find Sean Patton after Omorehiomwan missed the interception. Patton then played in McNamee who made no mistake with a fine finish.
Bray could have found themselves further behind before the break with Success Edogun denied by a fine Jimmy Corcoran save after another defensive lapse.
Though the Seagulls were level 85 seconds into the second period when Almirall equalised at the back post after some good play from Nolan and Magerusan down the left unlocked Harps.
Harps regained the initiative soon after with O’Brien and Rainey both shooting from long range.
And Darren Murphy’s side retook the lead in the 73rd minute when Edogun slotted home from the spot after being felled by Nolan in the penalty area.
But that advantage lasted less than two minutes when Griffin equalised again for the hosts with a fine finish following a long ball from Kilian Cantwell.
Bray had chances to win it soon after with substitute Ben Feeney proving a menace off the bench, while Griffin saw a late free-kick go wide.
Omorehiomwan also had an injury time header go wide of goal as the sides could not be separated at the full-time whistle.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Killian Cantwell, Max Murphy, Zach Nolan, Cole Omorehiomwan; Guillermo Almirall (Conor Knight, 65), Darren Craven, Shane Griffin, Harry Groome, John O'Sullivan (Ben Feeney, 65); Cristian Magerusan.
Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Noe Baba, Matthew Makinson, Luke O'Brien, Jamie Watson; Patrick Ferry, Max Hutchison, Tony McNamee, Ryan Rainey (Gavin McAteer, 79); Success Edogun (Max Johnston, 88), Sean Patton.
Referee: Marc Lynch.
Meanwhile, Wexford secured their playoff berth with a thumping 4-0 victory over Kerry at Ferrycarrig Park.
And the damage was done by the Slaneysiders in 30 devastating second half minutes with Ethan Boyle, Sean McHale, Divin Isamala and Kaylem Harnett all on target.
James Keddy’s men will be joined in the top five by Athlone Town who came from behind to dismiss champions Cork City 4-1.
Ruairi Keating handed Tim Clancy’s side a 33rd minute lead though Kyle Robinson equalised before the break for Dario Castelo’s men.
And Robinson completed his hat-trick before the hour with two further strikes for the Co Westmeath side. Peter McGregor put the gloss on the victory late on.
Elsewhere, Treaty United drew 2-2 at home to UCD.
Yoyo Mahdy handed the Shannonsiders an early lead before two second half goals from Stephen Mohan and Adam Brennan put the Students ahead.
But Evan O’Connor scored 12 minutes from time to salvage a point for Tommy Barrett’s side.
