2016 League of Ireland Premier Division
19.45 29 Jul 2016 -
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
19.45 29 Jul 2016 -
Referee: Anthony Buttimer
League Report: Bray Wanderers 1 - 1 Shamrock Rovers
- Dave Donnelly
- Sat, Jul 30 2016
A 1-1 draw at the Carlisle Grounds saw Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers share the spoils in a result that will suit neither side.
Dylan Connolly shot the Seagulls into a surprise lead midway through the first half as he capitalised on disorder in the Hoops defence, but Gary McCabe equalised from the spot with 17 minutes remaining.
It was a strangely subdued affair between two sides coached by men who'd followed eerily similar paths into League of Ireland management this season.
Kenny began the season as Mick Cooke's assistant and took over the main job following the latter's sacking, eventually taking the job up permanently.
Bradley was Pat Fenlon's assistant up until three weeks ago, when Fenlon's dismissal saw him promoted to caretaker, and he may yet take the job up full-time if he registers on a Pro License course.
Kenny had instant success, guiding his side to a win over St Patrick's Athletic in his opening fixture before enduring a rocky patch, but has seen his side hit a vein of form that's seen them win two from five to climb clear of relegation trouble.
Bradley, too, started with a victory over Bohemians in his first league game, but the problems that were apparent towards the end of Fenlon's reign were seen here as the Seagulls were comfortably the better side for long periods.
In an intense opening few minutes, Aaron Dobbs saw his shot well-blocked by Tim Clancy and Darragh Noone headed wide following good work in the box from Ryan Brennan.]
It was to be Brennan's next-to-last involvement as from the first of many Dylan Connolly break-aways, the former Hoops midfielder stretched to meet the cross before crashing into the post shins-first at pace.
He tried to run the injury off, as did Dean Kelly a muscle strain shortly after, but both ex-Rovers men had to be replaced in the first quarter by Mark Salmon and Ger Pender.
The latter had an immediate impact as, within two minutes of his introduction, he forced a save from Craig Hyland before teeing up Connolly to slot the ball into an empty net.
It wasn't quite against the run of play, but the game had begun to stagnate, but the goal energised the home side and they played the ball around with confidence while Rovers re-adjusted following Gary McCabe's introduction for the injured Killian Brennan.
Rob Cornwall had Rovers' first chance just before half-time as he flicked Brandon Miele's free kick over the bar, while Dean Clarke forced a save from Cherrie after cutting in from the right.
Simon Madden was the one player who looked like making things happen for the Hoops, and he created their first chance of the second half when he found Shaw in the box, and the loose ball saw Aaron Dobbs head straight at Cherrie.
Dobbs – making his second straight start in a Hooped shirt – made way for Sean Boyd as Rovers looked to play more direct, and a long ball over the top for Dean Clarke to chase almost saw Conor Kenna head past his own keeper.
Gary Shaw beat the former Rovers skipper to a near-post cross from Brandon Miele – who signed a new contract this week – but he couldn't get his foot around the ball to steer it on target.
Kenna was again at the centre of the action as he looked to handle Miele's goalbound shot and, after consulting with assistant Michelle O'Neill, Anthony Buttimer award the spot-kick, which McCabe converted.
Dean Clarke felt he could have had a second penalty as he waltzed through two tackles into the box, but he fell down under an immaculately-timed tackle from another former Rovers man Tim Clancy.
And if Kenna considered himself unlucky to concede the penalty, he was fortunate to remain on the pitch when he raised a hand to block down Miele's flick to shut down a Rovers break that was almost certain to end in at least a shot.
Amazingly, neither referee nor assistant spotted the infringement.
And it could have proved decisive as Gareth McDonagh had the chance to win the points for Bray in injury time after the rampaging Connolly set his free, but he pulled his shot badly wide.
The result leaves Rovers five points behind Derry City in fourth, though with two games in hand, while Wexford Youths' win over Finn Harps means the Seagulls are just two points clear of the relegation play-off spot.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, Tim Clancy, Kevin Lynch; John Sullivan, Ryan Brennan (Mark Salmon 15), Darragh Noone (Gareth McDonagh 75), Dylan Connolly, Karl Moore, Dean Kelly (Ger Pender 23).
Subs not used: Lee Steacy (gk), Jason Marks, Sean Harding, Alan McNally.
Booked: None.
Shamrock Rovers: Craig Hyland; Simon Madden, Rob Cornwall, Sean Heaney, Gavin Brennan; Pat Cregg, Killian Brennan (Gary McCabe 27), Brandon Miele, Dean Clarke, Aaron Dobbs (Sean Boyd 57); Gary Shaw (Trevor Clarke 75).
Subs not used: Barry Murphy (gk), Dave Webster, Stephen McPhail, Shane Hanney.
Booked: Rob Cornwall (34).
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Attendance: 1,461.
Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Dylan Connolly (Bray Wanderers).
Subs
Subs
P | Team | Pd | W | D | L | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Dundalk | 33 | 25 | 2 | 6 | 77 |
2 | Cork | 33 | 21 | 7 | 5 | 70 |
3 | Derry | 33 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 62 |
4 | Shamrock R | 33 | 16 | 7 | 10 | 55 |
5 | Sligo | 33 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 49 |
6 | Bray | 33 | 13 | 7 | 13 | 46 |
7 | St Patrick's Athl. | 33 | 13 | 6 | 14 | 45 |
8 | Bohs | 33 | 12 | 5 | 16 | 41 |
9 | Galway | 33 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 38 |
10 | Harps | 33 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 32 |
11 | Wexford | 33 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 23 |
12 | Longford | 33 | 2 | 8 | 23 | 14 |
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