First Division

Carlisle Grounds
11 Jun 2021

Shelbourne extended their lead at the top of the First division to eight points with a comfortable win over Wanderers who produced their poorest display of the season so far.

Wanderers made two changes to the starting team from the one that was defeated by Treaty United a fortnight ago. Gary Shaw and Darren Craven starting in place of Joe Doyle & Steven Kinsella.

Ryan Brennan should have given the visitors the lead inside two minutes, but the ex-Wanderer blazed over from close range. The sides then exchanged penalties inside the opening quarter of an hour. Aaron Barry brought down Shane Farrell inside the area and Michael O’Connor scored from the resulting spot kick despite Brian Maher getting a hand to it.

Wanderers responded and Conor Clifford converted a penalty. Wanderers had some good spells after equalising with Richie O’Farrell and Darren Craven both having shots on goal without really testing Brendan Clarke. Shelbourne re-took the lead when Brennan headed home from a Kevin O’Connor pass on 38 minutes.

Wanderers started the second half well without creating any clear-cut chances. Shelbourne were awarded a penalty on 64 minutes for handball which Ryan Brennan converted. Shelbourne sealed victory three minutes from time when Ally Gilchrist scored from close range from a Poynton corner kick.

Match Report: Michael Duffy

Bray Wanderers: 1 Brian Maher; 8 Mark Byrne, 4 Andrew Quinn, 5 Aaron Barry (c) , 3 Dylan Barnett ; 11 Brandon Kavanagh, 14 Richie O’Farrell, 6 Conor Clifford , 16 Darren Craven ; 7 Ryan Graydon , 10 Gary Shaw
Subs: 9 Joe Doyle (for Shaw 62), 12 Dean O’Shea, 17 Luka Lovic (for Graydon 75), 18 Sean Callan, 22 Steven Kinsella (for Craven 75), 23 Glen Hollywood, 24 Cian Maher, 25 Kian Clarke (gk)
Shelbourne: 1 Brendan Clarke; 16 John Ross Wilson, 23 Luke Byrne (c), 4 Ally Gilchrist , 3 Kevin O'Connor; 10 Ryan Brennan , 6 JJ Lunney, 26 George Poynton, 18 Dayle Rooney; 17 Shane Farrell, 9 Michael O'Connor
Subs: 2 Michael Barker (for Farrell 12), 7 Glen McAuley, 14 Brian McManus (for Brennan 80), 15 Maxim Kouogun, 19 Sean Quinn, Alex Nolan, 20 Kyle O'Connor, 21 Alex Cetiner, 25 Jack Brady (gk)
Referee: Alan Patchell