FAI Cup Report: Bray Wanderers 0 - 1 Dundalk FC
Daryl Horgan's deflected strike was the difference between the two sides Credit: Ben Whitley (ETPhotos)
Dundalk edged out Bray Wanderers courtesy of a late deflected Daryl Horgan strike at a wet and windy Carlisle Grounds on Friday night.
The Seagulls welcomed their visitors with boss Ian Ryan- a First Division winner with the Lilywhites in 2008- making a single change following a thriller against Cobh Ramblers last week where the teams shared six goals. Into the side came defender Len O’Sullivan at the expense of recent arrival Yoyo Mahdy.
Their visitors made a trio of changes following a narrow victory over Sligo Rovers last weekend. Out went Greg Sloggett, Pat Hoban and Hayden Muller for Johannes Yli-Kokko, John Martin and Robbie McCourt respectively.
Dundalk had a great chance to open the scoring with 25 minutes on the clock as they were awarded a penalty after John Martin was tripped inside the box. Up stepped Connor Malley but his effort crashed off a sodden crossbar- a shot in keeping with the tone of the half as Dundalk had a number of efforts off target before Martin nodded an effort onto the same piece of woodwork his team mate had found twenty minutes earlier.
Full back Archie Davies the provider on that occasion and the English full back, who has impressed on the right flank since signing for the Lilywhites at the start of the season, had a couple of efforts on goal himself but neither threatened Matt Connor in the Bray goal.
For their part, the home side could have taken the lead with twenty minutes of the contest remaining- the ball falling to Callum Thomson but his effort flew over the crossbar from just inside the area. They almost conceded a few moments later as Daniel Kelly clipped a through ball beyond the onrushing Connor but the ex Galway United stopper got enough on the ball to slow it down for Sean Quinn to slide in and clear off the line.
However, that was only a temporary reprieve for the Wicklowmen as Daryl Horgan pounced on a loose ball 15 yards out and his strike looped off a defender to wrongfoot Connor and spin into the net for the Galwegian’s first goal since his July return to the Lilywhites.
A sodden Carlisle Grounds heard referee Rob Hennessy’s final whistle less than ten minutes later as Dundalk squelched their way into the quarter finals while the Seagulls will wring themselves out in preparation for the visit of Waterford on Friday.
Bray Wanderers: Matthew Connor; Dane Massey, Cole Omorehiomwan, Len O'Sullivan (Jake Walker 89), Sean Quinn; Guillemo Almirral, Conor Crowley (Harry Groome 68), Ben Feeney (Yoyo Mahdy 68), Max Murphy, Callum Thompson; Darren Craven.
Subs not used: Alex Moody, David Webster, Zach Nolan, Jack Hudson, Conor Knight.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Dundalk: Nathan Shepperd; Louie Annesley, Darren Brownlie, Archie Davies, Robbie McCourt; Daryl Horgan, Connor Malley, Ryan O'Kane (Sam Durrant 36), Johannes Yli-Kokko (Alfie Lewis 75); Daniel Kelly, John Martin (Patrick Hoban 75).
Subs not used: Peter Cherrie, Mark Byrne, Andy Boyle, Darragh Leahy, Greg Sloggett, Cameron Elliott.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Referee: Rob Hennessy
