First Division promotion play-off semi-finals: Bray Wanderers 3 UCD 2 (Bray win 4-2 on aggregate)
Goals from Kilian Cantwell, Cian Curtis and Richard Ferizaj for the Seagulls either side of a Brian McManus effort for the Students ensured a relatively smooth passage into the final for the Co Wicklow club.
Cantwell scored after just three minutes but McManus’ effort on 26 minutes kept things interesting at the seaside venue.
But the 2,000+ crowd were given reason to cheer throughout the second period with Curtis (61) and Ferizaj (90+3) landing the vital goals, before a late consolation for Behan with seconds to spare.
Paul Hefferan could not have asked for a better start. Max Murphy delivered a corner from the left and Cantwell, stood inside the six-yard box, got a touch to it that forced it over the line.
Bray were not short of motivation before the goal but they were even more fired up now. When Eanna Clancy passed it back to his goalkeeper Dara Kavanagh, the shot-stopper’s ball intended for Niall Holohan was picked off by Cian Curtis displaying his usual rabid energy.
The Students got away with it though as Kavanagh threw himself at Curtis’ feet and managed to snuff out the danger.
There was a sweeping move from the home side in the 19th minute that ended with Cian Doyle going for glory from the edge of the area but he failed to hit the target.
A moment of huge controversy arrived on 23 minutes. In the Bray box, Harvey Warren tracked and blocked well from Jake Doyle. The ball spilled to Max Murphy who lumped it forward.
On half-way, Cian Curtis managed to spin in behind Eanna Clancy and he had the whole of the UCD half to run into.
But Clancy appeared to grab a fistful of Curtis’ jersey so the attacker stopped and appealed to the referee, but the official gave nothing.
Wanderers should have been a goal up and man up. But within three minutes, it was all square on the scoreboard.
Kilian Cantwell of Bray Wanderers, centre, speaks to teammates in a huddle after their side’s victory the First Division Play-Off semi-final at Carlisle Grounds. Photo: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Ronan Finn delivered a left-footed corner kick that fell to Brian McManus six yards out and he hammered it home.
UCD held their breath in the 35th minute as Justin Ferizaj came very close to restoring Bray’s lead. Rhys Knight crossed from the right and Ferizaj met it with a cushioned, side-footed volley from 14 yards out. He opted for accuracy over power and it whistled inches wide.
In the second period, Paul Heffernan was the first man to utilise his bench and it paid dividends.
Former Student Sean Brennan was introduced three minutes before the hour and almost scored within a minute.
Cian Doyle embarked on a driving run before slipping Conor Knight in on the right channel. He squared to the in-rushing Brennan who tried to dance past the sea of bodies before eventually seeing his strike blocked behind.
Brennan would grab an assist three minutes later. He released Cian Curtis who broke the offside trap and was clean through. His first shot struck Dara Kavanagh but landed right back in his path and he wasn’t going to miss twice. It was Curtis’ 10th strike of the season and possibly his most important one.
With a two-goal cushion, the home side suddenly looked to be enjoying themselves. Cian Doyle sprung Justin Ferizaj down the left flank. He shifted inside before unleashing a thunderbolt from 35 yards that kissed the top of the crossbar with Kavanagh completely beaten.
There may have been a party atmosphere amongst the home faithful but this tie was far from over. The Students should have clawed one back with 15 to play.
Adam Wells clipped in an in-swinger from the right and nobody tracked the run of Ciaran Behan who – completely unmarked – glanced wide from six yards much to his own very obvious disgust.
Willam O’Connor was cursing his side’s finishing again with five minutes left on the clock. A deep cross from the right was nodded down and Louis Dignam arrived to meet it from 12 yards out but he blazed over.
There would be two more goals in stoppage time – one apiece – but it is Bray Wanderers that march into the final.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Kilian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle; Conor Knight, Rhys Knight, Justin Ferizaj; Cian Curtis. Subs: Sean Brennan for R. Knight (57); Jamie Duggan for Kizenga (66); Richard Ferizaj for Curtis (85); Paul Murphy for C. Knight (85).
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Adam Wells, Niall Holohan, Eanna Clancy, Brian McManus; Ronan Finn, Adam Verdon; Michael McCullagh, Ciaran Behan, Adam Brennan; Jake Doyle. Subs: Louis Dignam for McCullagh (66); Hugh Smith for Verdon (66); Killian Cailloce for Holohan (75); Michael Raggett for Brennan (90).
Referee: Daniel Murphy.
