SUPER START FOR SOLID SEAGULLS
Bray disappointed not to have clinched it
DUNDALK 0 BRAY WANDERERS 0
WITH their new owners in tow, all the pre-match talk was of how the new era for Dundalk couldn’t ask for a more generous beginning than with the visit of Bray Wanderers.
But the new era for the Seagulls began in superb fashion as Dave Mackey’s wonderfully-organised young side secured a point and left Oriel Park disappointed to have have stolen all three.
An unencouraging pre-season campaign for the Seagulls chipped away at the optimism at the Carlisle Grounds but it has all been replenished now following this stalemate in the back yard of one of the nation’s power two.
Mackey handed league debuts to Aaron Dillon, Daniel McKenna, Sean Heaney, Paul O’Conor, Cory Galvin and Ronan Coughlan - while it was a first ever competitive Bray appearance for Dillon, McKenna and Coughlan.
Having relinquished their grip on the league title in 2017, the Lilywhites were hoping to roar back into action on Friday and send out a message with a comprehensive victory over Wanderers.
But by the full-time whistle, Stephen Kenny’s men were grateful to shot-stopper Gary Rogers for rescuing them a point.
Dundalk certainly started with intent - Stephen Folan flashed a header across the face of Aaron Dillon’s goal with barely a minute played.
A minute later, Dillon was called into action. Right-back Sean Gannon fed the ball to attacking midfielder Jamie McGrath but his curling effort was confidently handled by the on-loan Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper.
Rogers’ night’s work began in the seventh minute when he brought an end to an encouraging run from Bray’s firecracker winger Cory Galvin.
On eight minutes, Wanderers breathed a sight of relief as the ball broke to Robbie Benson inside the penalty area but the attacker’s radar was off the mark and he steered it wide.
Another Dundalk corner lead to another Dundalk opportunity in the 10th minute.
This delivery sailed over everyone but the trajectory suited Dean Jarvis at the far stick. His strike connected well but it was the wrong side of Dillon’s post.
When the mood strikes, Dundalk can be lethal in attack.
They gave a glimpse of this in the 18th minute when Michael Duffy scampered down the left flank before cutting it back to Benson but he failed to find a way past Dillon.
Rogers’ reading of the game and reactions denied the visitors a great chance in the 22nd minute. John Sullivan and Gary McCabe combined to release Greene but before he could plan a celebration, Rogers dealt with the danger.
Rogers’ first real test arrived on 30 minutes. Cory Galvin, who had been cautioned for simulation six minutes earlier, showed his better qualities as he let rip but Rogers was equal to it and Shields com- pleted the clearance.
McCabe kept Rogers on his toes minutes later with another fine effort before Dillon pulled off the save of the night to deny Benson from six yards after he’d been found by left-back Dean Jarvis.
Wanderers seemed more capable of keeping Dundalk at bay in the second period but the hosts still found a way through when Massey’s half-volley was repelled by Dillon and then ex-Liverpool youngster Krisztian Adjoran’s glancing header was deflected over the bar by the fingertips of the Bray custodian.
With 19 minutes remaining, the home fans were convinced they were about to break the deadlock. Duffy escaped his man’s attention and centred the ball for Benson. His effort was low and hard but fizzed inches wide.
A shock result was so nearly on the cards in the 78th minute. With Dundalk so foccussed on forcing a winner, they were caught on the break and Greene hit his shot as sweetly as he could but Rogers pulled a save out of the bag to keep it scoreless.
Dundalk: 1. Gary Rogers; 2. Sean Gannon, 15. Stephen Folan, 14. Dane Massey, 33. Dean Jarvis; 5. Chris Shields, 18. Robbie Benson; 16. Dylan Connolly, 10. Jamie McGrath,
7. Michael Duffy; 19. Ronan Murray. Subs: Krisztian Adorjan for Connolly (57); Sam Byrne for McGrath (80). Not used: Gabriel Sava, Daniel Cleary, Jack O’Keeffe, George Poynton, Pat Hoban.
Bray Wanderers: 1. Aaron Dillon;
16. Daniel McKenna, 2. Hugh Douglas, 5. Sean Heaney, 3. Kevin Lynch;
6. Paul O’Conor, 8. John Sullivan; 7. Cory Galvin, 21. Gary McCabe, 19. Ronan Coughlan; 10. Aaron Greene. Subs: Darragh Noone for Sullivan (60); Daniel Kelly for Coughlan (72). Not used: Evan Moran, Dylan Hayes, Rhys Gorman, Jake Kelly, Ger Pender. Referee: Rob Rogers.
Venue: Oriel Park, Dundalk, Co Louth.