- Caeliv Donnelly
- Sat, Mar 08 2008
Bray Wanderers came away from this opening season clash with a well deserved point against title contenders Cork City. In truth it was the height of the Seagull's ambition, but they were rarely stretched by a disappointing and frustrated Cork City in this tepid encounter.
Opening night at the 'Cross' was threatening to be a special occasion with a large crowd of 4,791 gathering as the atmosphere built. Indeed, with a five minute delay to kick-off it seemed that something good was brewing around this famous old ground. What transpired was frankly bleak. Bray snuffed out Cork City from early on, playing a defensive 4-5-1 formation. City had little answer despite what seemed an encouraging first half, and their challenge petered out alarmingly easily in the second period. However, the Bray defensive display was ably led by the excellent Ray Kenny and captain Colm Tresson in the Wanderers back four.
Gerard Rowe foraged alone up front for Bray and got himself booked early on for a rash challenge on City full back Danny Murphy. Despite this Bray looked comfortable early on. Liam Kearney was industrious for the home side and a few of his crosses provided chances with headers for Dan Murray and Colin Healy but neither tested Chris O’Connor in the Bray net.
Dave Mooney was at the centre of Cork’s two main chances of the first half. 14 minutes had gone and Mooney had the ball in the net – However the linesman had already flagged. His cool finish should have signalled better things to come for the rebel army. Firstly on 28 minutes a neat one-two between Mooney and O’Callaghan led to the former hitting the crossbar from close range although one wonders what might have transpired had Mooney connected cleanly with his shot. Mooney was guilty of a bad miss on 40 minutes when he headed over the bar from six yards, after Denis Behan had hooked a Liam Kearney corner back across the box.
No doubt George O’Callaghan would have loved to mark his return to Turner’s Cross with a goal – he had his best chance minutes before Mooney headed over, when Bray net minder O’Connor snuffed out the Corkman’s effort from a Danny Murphy cross.
Half time came and went and Bray started the brighter of the two teams after the recess, and it was in this period that they had their best opportunity when Gary McCabe hit his shot straight at Mick Devine in the city goal after some good work by Rowe.
What followed was a spate of yellow cards. Derek Pender and Patrick Kavanagh were carded for Bray for bad tackles and George O’Callaghan was booked for saying something not so palatable to Dublin referee Damien Hancock.
Joe Gamble had Cork’s best chance of the second half but he scuffed his shot after George O’Callaghan had squared him an excellent ball. It was the 61st minute mark, Gamble should have done better, and the collective hands-in-head from a packed “Shed” was an indication of the growing angst inside the ground.
Bray, in truth, closed out the game rather easily and only a late scramble in the box when O’Connor had to smother a Murray effort was the closest Cork came. The rebel army seemed to run out of ideas – new manager Alan Matthews did try and change things late on Gareth Farrelly and John O’Flynn tried to add late impetus but neither had any real effect on the game. This team it appears will need more time to gel into the unit they’re talents are seemingly capable of.
Bray for their part will be reasonably happy with an opening day point at a difficult venue – however their sense of jubilation at the final whistle was tempered somewhat by the late sending off of Patrick Kavanagh for a second bookable offence on 88 minutes, seemingly for dissent. Alan Cawley who was excellent in the Bray midfield was also booked during the same incident.
Cork City: Michael Devine; Cillian Lordan, Dave Mulcahy (Gareth Farrelly 75), Dan Murray, Danny Murphy; Liam Kearney, George O'Callaghan, Joe Gamble, Colin Healy; Dave Mooney (John O'Flynn 80), Denis Behan.
Subs not used: Mark McNulty, Darren Murphy, Darragh Ryan.
Bookings: Murphy, O'Callaghan.
Bray Wanderers: Chris O'Connor; Derek Pender, Ray Kenny, Colm Tresson, Gary Cronin; Paddy Kavanagh, Gavin Whelan, Alan Cawley, Gary McCabe (Paul Dunphy 78), Mark Duggan; Ger Rowe (Emeka Onwubiko 90).
Subs not used: Gavin McInerney, Andy Myler.
Bookings: Rowe, Pender, Kavanagh, Cawley (88).
Sent Off: Kavanagh (88).
Referee: Damien Hancock.
Attendance: 4,791
