Bray 0-2 UCD

[pineapple stu]

"The biggest massacre in the Carlisle Grounds since they filmed the Michael Collins film."

The biggest surprise wasn't that it was a non-GAA fan who paraphrased the legendary GAA commentary, but that it wasn't far off true. UCD proved far too strong for an admittedly understrength Bray team and took a deserved three points from the pre-season favourites for the title.

College started strongly and Bray were on the back foot for much of the opening twenty minutes, during which period a Hugh Davey cross landed on the roof of the net, College forced three or four corners and generally seemed able to get in behind the Bray defence at will. The period culminated in Willie Doyle finding the net from close range after a Micko mis-hit, but he was ruled offside, a marginal decision at best.

Having weathered the storm, though, Bray came back into the game and were well in it for the remainder of the half, and had one of the best chances of the half when Kevin Grogan, making his first first-team appearance since playing for UCD three seasons ago, thumped a free-kick against the crossbar with Neil Gallagher nowhere. Grogan was one of Bray's best performers on the night, and was at the heart of most of Bray's attacks.

The worry for UCD fans, though, was that the team still hadn't got enough in front of goal to kill off matches. With Bray's defence looking very shaky at times, UCD had more than their share of chances, but Robbie Martin hit the post after holding off his marker to get to a through ball, with Willie Doyle's rebound being blocked away, a Bray defender appeared to handle in the box under pressure from Martin only for the linesman to flag and give a free out while Willie Doyle appeared to be professionally fouled while running into the box - a free kick was given, but no card issued to the defender.

The inevitable breakthrough came on 70 minutes though, and it was a result of another lapse in the Bray defence. Tony McDonnell pounced on a slip by Jody Lynch, ran on and threaded a ball through for Willie Doyle, unmarked in the area, to slot home for a debut goal, the first UCD player to score on his debut since his namesake, the ever-popular Robbie. And number two came five minutes later when a Hugh Davey free into the box wasn't properly dealt with, and Robbie Martin was on hand to get a touch and the ball trickled over the line.

Bray kept coming forward looking for a way back into the match, but, one slip from Neil Gallagher aside, the College defence stood firm and UCD might well have had the final say in injry time when substitute Brian Gannon picked the ball up on the half-way line out by the right touchline, went past one player, nutmegged a second, rounded a third and broke into the box only for the keeper to save at his feet on the edge of the six-yard box. Had Gannon squared to Willie Doyle, it would have been 3-0, but you couldn't blame him for wanting to round off what would have been a spectacular solo effort!

And there was still time for Gannon to be involved in a clash with the Bray number 3 when going to retrieve the ball to take a quick throw-in, and also to be booked for blocking another throw from the same Bray player.

But all in all, a result which will delight the UCD players and fans, and which sets us up nicely for the top-of-the-table clash against Athlone in Belfield next week.

UCD - Gallagher; Sullivan, Davey, McAuley, McNally; McDonnell, McWalter, Finn, O'Donnell; Doyle (Gannon 88), Martin. Subs not used: Quigley, Kenna, Foley, Purcell

[Schumi]

Willie Doyle appeared to be professionally fouled while running into the box - a free kick was given, but no card issued to the defender.

Not correct, the ref didn't even give a free, he gave a throw when the ball went out. It was when that scumbag of a #3 hit Gannon that he gave a free but no card.

On the game, we were well on top for most of the game, 2-0 was fair enough. Bray's passing was appalling, how many balls went straight out of play when they didn't go near the intended player. Grogan was their only decent looking player. Only for the ref, I think we would have won by more and if this is the standard at the top of the division, it looks good for us.

[John83]

That #3 was a disgrace - almost as bad as the ref.

[Schumi]

Very positive report on the FAI website

Bray Wanderers 0-2 UCD
Doyle 70
Martin 75

UCD manager Pete Mahon insisted that his side have no chance of winning promotion this season, but having beaten promotion favourites Bray Wanderers 2-0 on the opening day, he may be forced to revise his opinion.

Despite facing Bray in their own back yard, UCD were marvellous and deserved the victory.

Bray were second best for long periods and the only surprise was it took so long for the students to take the lead.

The goal was well deserved with skipper Tony McDonnell bursting down the left before fired over a low cross which was slotted home by Willie Doyle.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0 when Robbie Martin slide the ball home after receiving a long throw from Hugh Davey.

Teams:
Bray Wanderers: O’Connor; O’Hanlon, Lynch, Charles, Farrell; Quinn, McGuinness, Tresson, C Ryan; Grogan, Lawlor.
Subs: O’Brien for Tresson (74 mins), Gifford for Lynch (81 mins), Manley for Lawlor (81 mins).

UCD: Gallagher; Sullivan, McNally, McAuley, Davey; McWalter, McDonnell; Finn, O’Connell; Martin, Doyle.
Subs: Gannan for Doyle (88 mins).

I thought Gannon was on for longer than two minutes though.

[John83]

Very positive report on the FAI website

I thought Gannon was on for longer than two minutes though.

He did **** on them for whatever length of time it was. How much injury time was there, does anyone remember?

[Bald Student]

Is Gannon the small fella wearing number 12, (the one that got booked)? He seemed very good at getting past players, starting fights and not passing the ball. He should liven up the games a bit.

[John83]

Is Gannon the small fella wearing number 12, (the one that got booked)? He seemed very good at getting past players, starting fights and not passing the ball. He should liven up the games a bit.

That's the one. He also seems to be a decent defender, and you may hear him refered to as "Brian Newguy" or even "Rightback Newguy" for a while, but we (Schumi and I at any rate) were disappointed to see McWalter start ahead of him.

[2Cool]

i thought mcwalther was excellent. gannon is still young and pete prob feels hes not ready for ninety mins at that level. by putting him on when the opposition is tired he is less likely to get the *&^% kicked out of him.

[Schumi]

By putting him on when the opposition is tired he is less likely to get the *&^% kicked out of him.

Didn't reckon with Bray's no. 3 though!

[John83]

Didn't reckon with Bray's no. 3 though!

To be fair, he did get him back. Got booked for it though, even though Bray's #3 got away with no punishment after shoving him.

[pineapple stu]

He did **** on them for whatever length of time it was. How much injury time was there, does anyone remember?

Four minutes. He did pack a hell of a lot into the six minutes alright!

[pineapple stu]

Bray's #3 got away with no punishment after shoving him.

Bray's number three got ridiculed by us and got himself a fanzine mention! What more punishment do you want?!

[Schumi]

What more punishment do you want?!

A red card, duh!

[Schumi]

Good match report on the Bray website.
http://www.braywanderers.ie/reports.php?game=217

[pineapple stu]

referee Paul Tuite prepared to blow his already over-used instrument.

[John83]

His own trumpet, Kevin. Tut, tut, what a filthy mind.

[Schumi]

I thought he was a bit of a w@nker alright.

[Roo69]

Good win Lads ! we where just shocking ! even Devo reckons its the worst weve played in 2 years ! we were so poor, couldnt get anything right, apart from a few short spells when we had ucd under pressure. your keeper pulled off some great saves ! cant beleive Big Wes was at fault for the goals ! normally so reliable at the back ! nothing up front what so ever !

[pineapple stu]

The thread on the game that started the whole "Maurice Farrell, you're a ******, you're a ******!" chant...seems an apt place to post the news that he's just retired and won't be making a return to Belfield next season...

[Aberdonian Stu]

I reckon it deserves its own thread. Wanna do the honours Schumi?