Dundalk Fall to Bray as Title Race Heats Up in First Division
By ArdeePost Reporter
Corcoran’s Heroics Help Bray Defeat Dundalk in Carlisle Thriller
Bray Wanderers reignited the SSE Airtricity First Division title race with a dramatic 2-0 win over league leaders Dundalk, securing their first victory over the Lilywhites since 2017 in front of a season-high crowd of 1,712 at the Carlisle Grounds.
With the sun beating down and pressure mounting, goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran delivered a stunning man-of-the-match performance to deny Dundalk multiple chances and help his side move within just six points of the summit.
First Half Drama and a Cool Finish from the Spot
Bray struck first just before half-time when Billy O’Neill was brought down in the box by Dundalk defender Sean Keogh. After a 90-second delay, Max Murphy stepped up and calmly sent Dundalk keeper Enda Minogue the wrong way from the penalty spot — his seventh successful penalty of the season.
Dundalk responded with intensity after the break. Early in the second half, Daryl Horgan rattled the post, and Kilian Cantwell had to clear the rebound off the line, keeping Bray’s slender lead intact.
Corcoran’s Masterclass Between the Sticks
The 57th minute saw Corcoran produce a world-class save to claw away a powerful Dean Ebbe header, after a pinpoint cross from Horgan. Just minutes later, Eoin Kenny danced past defenders and launched a blistering strike from the edge of the area — again denied by Corcoran’s sharp reflexes.
It was a performance that kept Bray in the game and broke Dundalk’s momentum.
Sealing the Win in Stoppage Time
In the 93rd minute, with Dundalk pushing for an equaliser, Bray struck again on the counter. O’Neill released Danu Kinsella Bishop, who rounded Minogue and tucked the ball home from a tight angle to seal the win — sending the home fans into raptures.
To add to Bray’s joy, second-placed Cobh Ramblers suffered a defeat to Treaty United, tightening the top of the table and bringing new life to the promotion race.
Match Summary
First Division Result:
Bray Wanderers 2 – 0 Dundalk
(Scorers: Max Murphy pen 45+2, Danu Kinsella Bishop 90+3)
Bray Wanderers XI: Corcoran; Duggan, Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Doyle, Bartley (Tallong 90+4); O’Neill, Rhys Knight (Almirall 72), Conor Knight (Fagbemi 86); Curtis (Kinsella Bishop 72).
Dundalk XI: Minogue; Wilson, McHale, Leonard, Keogh (Paraschiv HT); Dervin, Groome (Molly 86); Kenny (Ward 61), Horgan, Arubi (McDaid 61); Ebbe.
Referee: Declan Toland (Midlands)
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