Victory gives hope for rest of the season
Coughlan strike banishes demons
AT Tomas Connolly’s final whistle on Monday, Bray Wanderers players were exhausted, sodden and wind-pummelled.
But they didn’t care. After one draw and 10 losses, Ronan Coughlan’s sweet, sweet second half strike banished the demons and injected hope into a season that had appeared lost.
The Seagulls went into this clash eight points off ninth and lost Aaron Greene early in the first half but they rose above it all as Coughlan fired them ahead for just the second time in 2018. Unlike the last time they took the lead though (against Bohemians), they refused to cough it up and their second clean sheet of the season may have just ignited their floundering season.
Shamrock Rovers finished with 10 men but don’t let that take the gloss off Bray’s showing - they would’ve triumphed even if Stephen Bradley had 12 men on the field.
The gusts at the Carlisle Grounds favoured Shamrock Rovers in the first period but the visitors certainly didn’t use it to their advantage.
Hugh Douglas almost broke the deadlock in controversial fashion after eight minutes when his desperate leap to meet Gary McCabe’s corner saw him twist in the air and the ball seemed to bounce off his fist and fly over.
Cory Galvin was a man on a mission on Friday and his low centre of gravity kept Rovers on their toes - he earned a couple of free kicks in dangerous positions but neither came to fruition.
Wanderers suffered a massive blow in the 26th minute when Aaron Greene gingerly left the field to be replaced by Daniel Kelly meaning a push into the striking department for Ronan Coughlan.
A minute before the half hour mark, a goalkeeper finally had a save to make. Graham Burke was felled 25 yards from goal and Miele’s powerful strike was definitely on target. Dillon got a strong hand behind it to push the ball away as he flew to his right.
‘Penalty!’ screamed the home fans in the 36th minute. Gary McCabe spun sharply in the penalty area and got his shot away which was blocked at point-blank range by Ally Gilchrist. McCabe and the Wanderers followers roared in unison for a spot kick but Tomas Connolly disagreed with their viewpoint.
It could have been a dream end to the first half for the Hoops as Graham Burke’s corner found right-back Ethan Boyle in space but he powered his header the wrong side of Dillon’s post.
On 48 minutes, Dan Carr caught Conor Kenna late and picked up a booking that he would later regret.
The travelling fans were stunned into silence on 63 minutes as the Seagulls hit the front.
Captain Ronan Finn’s backpass was never going to find Horgan and Coughlan glided onto it and ever so calmly slid it beneath Horgan to give Bray an unexpected league.
Coughlan could have orchestrated a second goal for Bray within a minutes as Bray broke three on two but his pass failed to find its mark and Rovers got off the hook.
A switch in formation was implemented by Bradley as he opted for 4-4-2 but it lasted only eight minutes as Carr’s petulant trip on Gorman saw him receive his marching orders.
Sandwiched between that dismissal was a chance for either side.
Kevin Lynch almost committed the same error that Finn had and ironically - it was Finn that almost profited but Dillon came out to narrow the angle and block it behind.
And the generosity continued as Shaw coughed up possession to McCabe and his vicious strike looked destined for the net but Horgan saved superbly as he tipped it onto the roof of the net.
Ger Pender had only been on the field a matter of moments but he almost produced the goods and Horgan had to be alert again to pull off a sprawling save and concede another corner.
At the other end, Dillon also proved his worth as he pushed away a tricky header from Shaw that bounced right in front of him and Bray hacked clear before any ensuing scramble could commence.
There was no late onslaught from the Hoops and their fans made their feelings known at the final whistle as they booed them off the pitch.
As for Bray, their season starts now.
Bray Wanderers: 1. Aaron Dillon;
16. Dan McKenna, 2. Hugh Douglas,
4. Conor Kenna, 3. Kevin Lynch; 6. Paul O’Conor, 14. Rhys Gorman; 19. Ronan Coughlan, 21. Gary McCabe,
7. Cory Galvin; 10. Aaron Greene. Subs: Daniel Kelly for Greene (26); Ger Pender for Coughlan (69); Jake Kelly for Galvin (89). Not used: Evan Moran, Sean Heaney, Andy McGovern, Dylan Hayes.
Shamrock Rovers: Kevin Horgan; Ethan Boyle, Lee Grace, Ally Gilchrist, Sean Kavanagh; Greg Bolger, Ronan Finn; Brandon Miele, Graham Burke, Joel Coustrain; Dan Carr. Subs: Gary Shaw for Coustrain (56); Brandon Kavanagh for S. Kavanagh (72). Not used: Tomer Chencinski, Joey O’Brien, Roberto Lopes, David McCallister, Aaron Bolger.
Tomas Connolly.
Referee: