League Report: Treaty United 0 - 1 Bray Wanderers

Bray Wanderers began the Ian Ryan era with a late win in Limerick. Substitute Ben Feeney’s late strike proving the difference as Treaty United suffered defeat at Market’s Field.

As per custom on opening night, both sides lined out with a cohort of debutants. For Tommy Barrett’s outfit, shorn of headline signing Ryan Connolly for the season due to work commitments,  ex Wexford attacker Conor Barry lined up against his former Slaneyside boss while Colin Kelly- who departed the Carlisle Grounds in the off season- made an appearance as a substitute.

The visiting Wanderers showed much less continuity to their starting lineup with the starting lineup made up primarily of former Wexford players who joined up with Ryan once more, along with a selection of returnees- most prominently defender Dane Massey and striker Chris Lyons.

The opening quarter saw both sides having efforts to open the scoring- the visitors saw Ger Shortt shoot wide and ex St Patrick’s Athletic frontman Jake Walker denied by Conor Winn. On  the other side, Treaty’s returning defensive pillar Anto O’Donnell nodded over while Conor Barry was thwarted by debutant Alex Moody in the Bray goal.

Moody’s net was threatened once more as the first half drew to a close- Lee Devitt and Treaty skipper Marc Ludden those attempting to record the first league goal of 2023. However, the first half ended with referee David Connolly’s notebook only troubled by bookings- Massey and Almirall for Bray, with Barry seeing yellow for the Limerickmen.

The home side came out of the blocks quickest for the second half with Barry and Curran denied by the Bray defence, for whom Cole Omorehiomwan shone on his first league start for the Seagulls. The 20 year old ex Shamrock Rovers Academy product belied his youth with a commanding display from centre half.

Following a brief stoppage on the hour mark, Tommy Barrett decided to spring the inventive Willy Armshaw from the bench and while the home side dominated proceedings, the Bray rearguard stood firm. Success Edogun entered the fray with less than ten minutes remaining as Treaty sought an opener, while the Wicklow outfit introduced Ben Feeney and Callum Thomson.

It was Feeney who made the breakthrough in the 89th minute as fellow substitute Joe Power dug out a left wing cross which Jake Walker knocked back and Ben Feeney crashed to the net. Despite eight minutes of injury time, Bray continued to repel anything thrown at them by the Treaty attack and held on to take all three points back to Wicklow.

Tommy Barrett and the home supporters will have plenty of positives to take from the game, despite suffering defeat, next up for Treaty is a trip to Galway United while Bray will host Kerry FC next weekend hoping to make it two wins from two.

Treaty United: Conor Winn; Marc Ludden, Anthony O'Donnell, Ben O'Riordan; Conor Barry, Stephen Christopher (Colin Kelly 90), Colin Conroy (William Armshaw 66), Lee Devitt Molloy, Mark Walsh; Enda Curran, Dean George (Success Edogun 81).

Subs not used: Shane Hallahan, Darren Nwankwo, Scott Kirkland, Martin Coughlan, Darren Collins, Josh Quinlivan.

Booked: Conor Barry (21).

Sent off: None.

Bray Wanderers: Alex Moody; Dane Massey, Cole Omorehiomwan, Len O'Sullivan; Guillemo Almirral (Joe Power 62), Conor Crowley (Eoin Farrell 89), Harry Groome (Luka Lovic 65), Max Murphy, Jake Walker; Chris Lyons (Ben Feeney 83), Ger Shortt (Callum Thompson 82).

Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Jack Hudson, Conor Knight, Conor Davis.

Booked: Dane Massey (26), Guillemo Almirral (36), Ger Shortt (82), Cole Omorehiomwan (90).

Sent off: None.

Referee: David Connolly.

Attendance: None

extratime.com Player of the Match: Cole Omorehiomwan