Bray Wanderers 0 – 4 Limerick FC
Credit:
By Aidan Lonergan
Ten man Limerick FC were comprehensive 4–0 winners over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in a pre-season friendly on Friday night. Two goals from Man of the Match Stephen O'Flynn helped the visitors to an excellent win.
The game started with a good tempo. Bray wore their yellow kits, while Limerick wore white and green. Limerick started with a 4-4-1-1 system, Paudie Quinn playing off danger-man Stephen O'Flynn. It was Bray who looked the most likely to open the scoring in the early stages; David Webster's cross from the right was met with a volley from Danny McGuinness, but his effort went wildly over the bar.
The first significant moment of the game came in the 21st minute, when Limerick left-back Corie Tracey was sent off for kicking out at an opponent. A straight red card, for the man ironically from Bray.
For much of the first half Wanderers tried to make the extra man count, but Limerick got men behind the ball and defended well. The game did get a goal before half time. A 39th minute penalty scored by striker Stephen O'Flynn had Limerick ahead against the run of play, after Bray right-back Webster had handled in the area.
The second half started with a good chance for Limerick to double their lead. Big striker O'Flynn met a free-kick swung in from the right by Gary Sheehan. The header was easily gathered by the Bray 'keeper Matt Gregg, but it was a sign of things to come.
Bray did indeed find themselves two down on the hour mark. The home side had just made six substitutions, and before the new players had time to settle, Limerick's Gary Sheehan burst down the left with a direct piece of running, his low centre found Stephen O'Flynn. The forward was unmarked in the six yard area and slotted home with ease.
Bray changed their system to a 3-4-3 as they went in search of a goal. It wasn't to be. Two excellent counter-attacking goals from hard-working Gary Sheehan and second half substitute Jeff Judge settled the game.
Bray huffed and puffed in the closing stages, but couldn't find the killer pass. A worrying defeat for the Wicklow men with the season proper only a week away. Limerick on the other hand will be delighted with their display. They showed good levels of discipline at the back and pace and invention up-front. Pat Scully's men will be buoyed by their performance.
Bray Wanderers: Matt Gregg (Brian Kane, 75); David Webster, Dane Massey (Daire Doyle, 55), Adam Mitchell, Danny O'Connor (Shane O'Neill, 55); Gary Dempsey, Dean Zambra (Chris Shields, 55), Graham Kelly (Stephen Brennan, 55), Conor Murphy (David Tyrrell, 55); Danny McGuinness (John Mulroy, 55) Jake Kelly.
Subs not used: None.
Bookings: None.
Limerick: Barry Ryan; Garbhan Broughall, Corie Tracey, Brian McCarthy, Pat Purcell; David O'Leary (Jeffrey Judge, 75), Darren Coleman (Brian O'Callaghan, 85), Peter Hynes (Peter White, 24), Stephen O'Flynn (Chris Breen, 72); Paudie Quinn (Shane Tracey, 67) Gary Sheehan (Garbhan Coughlan, 75).
Subs not used: Shane Cusack
Bookings: None.
Sent Off: Corie Tracey, 21.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen O'Flynn.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
Attendance: 75 (estimate).
Ten man Limerick FC were comprehensive 4–0 winners over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in a pre-season friendly on Friday night. Two goals from Man of the Match Stephen O'Flynn helped the visitors to an excellent win.
The game started with a good tempo. Bray wore their yellow kits, while Limerick wore white and green. Limerick started with a 4-4-1-1 system, Paudie Quinn playing off danger-man Stephen O'Flynn. It was Bray who looked the most likely to open the scoring in the early stages; David Webster's cross from the right was met with a volley from Danny McGuinness, but his effort went wildly over the bar.
The first significant moment of the game came in the 21st minute, when Limerick left-back Corie Tracey was sent off for kicking out at an opponent. A straight red card, for the man ironically from Bray.
For much of the first half Wanderers tried to make the extra man count, but Limerick got men behind the ball and defended well. The game did get a goal before half time. A 39th minute penalty scored by striker Stephen O'Flynn had Limerick ahead against the run of play, after Bray right-back Webster had handled in the area.
The second half started with a good chance for Limerick to double their lead. Big striker O'Flynn met a free-kick swung in from the right by Gary Sheehan. The header was easily gathered by the Bray 'keeper Matt Gregg, but it was a sign of things to come.
Bray did indeed find themselves two down on the hour mark. The home side had just made six substitutions, and before the new players had time to settle, Limerick's Gary Sheehan burst down the left with a direct piece of running, his low centre found Stephen O'Flynn. The forward was unmarked in the six yard area and slotted home with ease.
Bray changed their system to a 3-4-3 as they went in search of a goal. It wasn't to be. Two excellent counter-attacking goals from hard-working Gary Sheehan and second half substitute Jeff Judge settled the game.
Bray huffed and puffed in the closing stages, but couldn't find the killer pass. A worrying defeat for the Wicklow men with the season proper only a week away. Limerick on the other hand will be delighted with their display. They showed good levels of discipline at the back and pace and invention up-front. Pat Scully's men will be buoyed by their performance.
Bray Wanderers: Matt Gregg (Brian Kane, 75); David Webster, Dane Massey (Daire Doyle, 55), Adam Mitchell, Danny O'Connor (Shane O'Neill, 55); Gary Dempsey, Dean Zambra (Chris Shields, 55), Graham Kelly (Stephen Brennan, 55), Conor Murphy (David Tyrrell, 55); Danny McGuinness (John Mulroy, 55) Jake Kelly.
Subs not used: None.
Bookings: None.
Limerick: Barry Ryan; Garbhan Broughall, Corie Tracey, Brian McCarthy, Pat Purcell; David O'Leary (Jeffrey Judge, 75), Darren Coleman (Brian O'Callaghan, 85), Peter Hynes (Peter White, 24), Stephen O'Flynn (Chris Breen, 72); Paudie Quinn (Shane Tracey, 67) Gary Sheehan (Garbhan Coughlan, 75).
Subs not used: Shane Cusack
Bookings: None.
Sent Off: Corie Tracey, 21.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Stephen O'Flynn.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
Attendance: 75 (estimate).
