6 days ago
Corcoran stars as Bray close gap on leaders Dundalk
First Division: Bray Wanderers 2 Dundalk 0
Bray picked up their first victory over Dundalk since 2017 to open up the First Division title race.
In front of the biggest crowd at the Carlisle Grounds this season of 1,712, Wanderers moved to within six points of the leaders, courtesy of Max Murphy's seventh penalty this year, and substitute Danu Kinsella Bishop's stoppage time goal.
But under blistering hot conditions, the home club needed a man-of-the-match display by goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran to claim all three points.
It was even better for Bray as second-placed Cobh went down away to Treaty United.
Minutes before the interval, Billy O'Neill was brought down by the challenging Sean Keogh.
After a near 90-second delay, Max Murphy sent Enda Minogue the wrong way from the penalty spot.
The Lilywhites pressed after the restart.
Daryl Horgan clipped the post in the 49th minute with Bray skipper Kilian Cantwell heading the follow-up off the line.
Corcoran then took centre stage. He pulled off a work-class save to claw out Dean Ebbe's header on 57 off Horgan's cross.
Then on the hour, Eoin Kenny's mazy run and shot from the edge of the box was superbly tipped over by the former Dundalk custodian.
Yet, Wanderers secured victory in the third minute of injury time.
O'Neill released sub Danu Kinsella Bishop to round Minogue and score from a tight angle.
Bray Wanderers: Corcoran; Duggan, Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Max Murphy; Doyle, Bartley (Tallong 90 + 4); O'Neill, Rhys Knight (Almirall 72), Conor Knight (Fagbemi 86); Curtis (Kinsella Bishop 72).
Dundalk: Minogue; Wilson, McHale, Leonard, Keogh (Paraschiv half time); Dervin, Groome (Molly 86); Kenny (Ward 61), Horgan, Arubi (McDaid 61); Ebbe.
Referee: Declan Toland (Midlands).
