Bray suffer in late, late show
BRAY WANDERERS did not enjoy the late, late show on Friday night as supersub Danny Morrissey inflicted a third consecutive defeat on the Seagulls.
In a match that will quickly be forgotten, Morrissey was introduced in the 76th minute and six minutes later he had plundered the winner to give Limerick a massive victory over their expected relegation rivals.
Both sides came into this clash on the back of harrowing defeats (Shamrock Rovers 6, Bray Wanderers 0 & Dundalk 8, Limerick 0). How they would recover from those losses would be pivotal. They both appeared to be licking wounds and limping a little gingerly in the early stages as neither side made any progress in the final third.
Dave Mackey again implemented a tactic to frustrate and smother the opposition which in turn curtailed his side’s attacking threat.
It wasn’t until after the quarter of an hour mark that something actually happened – William Fitzgerald caused Bray problems in the build-up before winger Daniel Kearns fizzed a dangerous cross across the face of Aaron Dillon’s goal.
Dillon was called into action in the 27th minute. Darren Dennehy’s long ball out of defence was helped onto Connor Ellis by Fitzgerald. Ellis laid it off to ex-Gypsy Eoin Wearen and his shot has power but not the direction as it flew straight down the throat of Dillon. The power of the shot meant it took him two attempts to gather.
Limerick tried their luck again through inspirational midfielder Shane Duggan but his 34th minute shot failed to inspire as it flew over the crossbar.
They are – believe it or not – the highlights of the first half. Enough said.
There was an early chance for the hosts in the second period as Darren Dennehy nodded wide from a corner.
Wanderers finally threatened when a scramble in the box caused havoc for the Limerick defence but they emerged from
it with their clean sheet intact as Cian Coleman earned his stripes by hacking clear.
Duggan was still searching for his shooting boots in the 59th minute. This time the strike was on target but it was straight into the hands of Blackburn Rovers loanee Dillon.
Up until this point, Wanderers had offered nothing in an attacking sense. But then Aaron Greene did what Aaron Greene does as he combined his lightning pace with his clever movement. He was clean through on goal against his former side with only Brendan Clarke standing between him and glory. It was a chance that he had to take but unfortunately for Dave Mackey – he didn’t.
There were 948 people watching as Morrissey entered the fray on 76 minutes in the hope that he could snatch all three points for Limerick and he did not disappoint.
Shane Tracy’s wand of a left foot provided the assist. His pinpoint cross found the diving head of Morrissey and the home fans celebrated with real oomph as the ball hit the back of the net.
With Limerick willing to stick now, Mackey had to twist. Ger Pender and Darragh Noone were both thrown on in the final few minutes as the Co. Wicklow club looked to salvage something but Limerick saw out the final moments comfortably.
It was a long drive home for Bray Wanderers who still only have a single point to their name from the 12 available and have struck the net just once in four outings thus far.
Limerick: 26. Brendan Clarke; 2. Shaun Kelly, 5. Tony Whitehead, 27. Darren Dennehy, 11. Shane Tracy; 16. Will Fitzgerald, 6. Cian Coleman, 7. Eoin Wearen, 8. Shane Duggan, 17. Daniel Kearns; 10. Connor Ellis. Subs: Barry Maguire for Coleman (69); Danny Morrissey for Ellis (76); Killian Cantwell for Fitzgerald (90+1). Not used: Colm Walsh-O’Loughlan, Alan Murphy, Tommy Holland, Henry Cameron.
Bray Wanderers: 1. Aaron Dillon;
16. Dan McKenna, 2. Hugh Douglas, 4. Conor Kenna, 3. Kevin Lynch; 8. John Sullivan, 6. Paul O’Conor; 19. Ronan Coughlan, 21. Gary McCabe, 7. Cory Galvin; 10. Aaron Greene. Subs: Daniel Kelly for Coughlan (79); Ger Pender for Galvin (85); Darragh Noone for Sullivan (88). Not used: Evan Moran, Sean Heaney, Dylan Hayes, Andrew McGovern.