Team News for visit of Cork City

Thanks to www.braywanderers.ie

Defender Pierce Sweeney is Bray's only doubt for the visit of Cork City to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night. Sweeney missed the trip to Drogheda last Friday and the Cup defeat to Limerick F.C. at the Carlisle Grounds on Monday night through illness. No decision on his availability will be made until just before kick-off. Otherwise Bray will work from the same panel as they had on duty on Monday night.

Speaking after the defeat to Limerick Brays Director of Football Pat Devlin said he was disappointed to be knocked out of the E.A. Cup. "We were hoping for a run in the Competition but when you defend like we did early on on Monday night you will get punished and that is exactly what happened, and we found ourselves 3-0 down inside 21 minutes. It was always going to be difficult from there on".

Looking ahead to Friday night Devlin said " We are looking forward to Cork's visit and we will be hoping to eliminate the silly mistakes and at the Carlisle we will be hoping to get something from the game".

Match Report:Drogheda United 3-1 Bray Wanderers

Thanks to www.braywanderers.ie 

The resumption of normal hostilities brought no joy for Bray Wanderers on their visit to Drogheda.

Despite an early effort by Shane O'Connor, the opening period of play was marked by a lack of serious incident, though the home side had marginally the better of the play.

And they got their reward twenty minutes in when Dane Massey failed to put Gavin Brennan's cross out, and Sean Brennan's return ball found Declan O'Brien rising to fire home.

Just after the half-hour, however, the Seagulls struck back when Seán Houston headed to the net from Adam Hanlon's cross.

After the break, the visitors seemed the more likely to go ahead, but somewhat against the run of play shortly after the hour, Brian Gannon's cross beyond the target was returned into the area by Gavin Brennan, where Drogheda skipper Paul Crowley was waiting to head past Darren Quigley.

And eight minutes later, after the Bray keeper was deemed to have conceded a corner while apparently seeing the ball out, Philip Hand's flag-kick landed into a goal-mouth scramble during which Peter Hynes forced the ball over the line.

Bray had no significant response after that, and had to return from the Boyne empty-handed.

Report: Mícheál Ó hUanacháin

Bray Wanderers: 1 Darren Quigley; 26 Shane O'Connor, 6 Danny O’Connor (c), 5 Adam Mitchell, 3 Dane Massey; 16 Dean Zambra; 21 Adam Hanlon, 21 Seán Houston, 11 Kieran Waters; 18 John Mulroy; 10 Jason Byrne


Subs: 2 David Webster, 8 Daire Doyle (for Zambra 79), 9 Anthony Bolger, 12 Kevin Knight, 14 Graham Kelly (for Byrne 87), 25 Brian Kane (gk), 28 Sean Hurley (for Hanlon 79)


Drogheda United: 1 Gabriel Sava; 17 Brian Gannon, 5 Alan McNally, 4 Derek Prendergast, 3 Philip Hand; 16 Paul Crowley (c), 10 Sean Brennan, 8 Ryan Brennan, 11 Gavin Brennan; 15 Peter Hynes, 19 Declan O'Brien

Subs: 2 Stephen Quigley, 6 Mark O'Brien, 7 Cathal Brady (for S Brennan 85), 9 Tiernan Mulvenna (for O'Brien 59), 14 Dean Marshall, 20 Stephen Trimble (gk), 21 John Breen

Referee: Pádraig Sutton

Team news for EA Sports Cup Quarter Final

Thanks to www.braywanderers.ie 

Johnathon Kelty who missed the defeat to Drogheda Utd. with a shin injury is back in the Bray squad for the visit of Limerick F.C. to the Carlisle Grounds on Monday night for the E.A. Sports Cup 2nd. Round Tie.

Central defender Pierce Sweeney who also missed the trip to Drogheda through illness is still considered doubtful for the game.

Speaking after their defeat in Drogheda on Friday night Bray's Director of Football Pat Devlin said that silly mistakes cost his side dearly in Drogheda on Friday along with missed chances. Bray will put that defeat behind them and go out to progress in the E.A. Sports Cup on Monday night.

The last time Limerick played Bray in a Cup game was in the F.A.I. Cup at the Carlisle Grounds last August and came away with a 3-0 victory.

Photo's from Player of the month presentation

Photo Set from Airtricity League soccer writers player of the month presentation. Present is Jason Byrne, Pat Devlin and Gill Brady,Marketing Manager at Airtricity

Airtricity League press release regarding Jason Byrne player of the month

Jason Byrne named Airtricity/Soccer Writers' Association Player of the Month for May.

The Airtricity/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland award for May was presented to Bray Wanderers’ striker Jason Byrne. The award was presented to Byrne by Gill Brady, Marketing Manager at Airtricity.

Byrne became the first club player to win the accolade since Gary Dempsey in April 2011, and pipped Paul O'Conor (UCD) and Stephen McLaughlin (Derry City) who finished second and third respectively.

A return of five goals from seven games confirmed that Byrne is not content to rest on his reputation, and he is firmly back to his best form as Bray prepare to travel to Drogheda United on Friday night.

“It’s a really big game for us on Friday night, Drogheda of course beat us 4-2 already this year, although we didn’t help ourselves having a man sent-off at one-all.

“The break has been good, we really needed to recharge the batteries after a great but a testing month of May, it was tough with so many games in a short period of time.”

Bray went unbeaten in four of their five domestic outings, and Byrne edged towards his tally of 12 goals to-date, this term as he moved up to second in the all-time goalscorer's list.

Chasing Brendan Bradley's spot as the all-time leading League of Ireland goalscorer, Byrne has emerged as a real leader for Bray, bringing the best out of youngsters Kieran Waters and Adam Hanlon, as well as supplying crucial goals.

Byrne began the month with a goal in Bray’s two-one win over Bohemians, before the same player bagged a brace in their victory over Dundalk.

Another double followed for Byrne against St Patrick’s Athletic midway through the month.

“The win over Bohs was a nice way to start the month, I enjoyed it. The result and performance was a very decent springboard, and we built upon it.

“We played a lot of goals between the league and cup during the month, but the Bohs result was no harm in terms of confidence, and we didn’t let up.”

Jason Byrne began his playing career at Bray Wanderers in 1998, with 49 league goals in 128 appearances before he joined title-winning Shelbourne in 2003.

The following season saw Byrne included in the Republic of Ireland squad, and after that he joined Cardiff City in 2007.

After spells at Bohemians and Dundalk, Byrne returned to where he started out in the Airtricity League, fourteen years earlier.

“I am really enjoying my football and being back at back, people may say it’s an achievement to score goals but really, a lot of it is due to the young lads around me.

“It’s great playing in a team with the Kieran (Waters) and Adam (Hanlon), who are full of energy and put the ball into the box when needed. They’ve been a huge help to me.”

Byrne picks up soccer writers award for May

Bray Wanderers 34 year old striker Jason Byrne has been named Airtricity soccer writers player of the month for May.
May was a good month for Byrne who hit five goals in seven games for the seagulls. The highlight of these goals has to be the 90th minute equalizer against St.Pats to level the game 3-3.


However despite this award Byrne is fully focused on pushing up the table and his attention has now turned to tomorrow's match against Drogheda United. Speaking to www.rte.ie Byrne said,

“It’s a really big game for us on Friday night. Drogheda, of course, beat us 4-2 already this year, although we didn’t help ourselves having a man sent-off at 1-1,” said Byrne.

“The break has been good. We really needed to recharge the batteries after a great but a testing month of May. It was tough with so many games in a short period of time.”

However Byrne was also quick to heap praise on the younger players around him.

“I am really enjoying my football and being back at Bray. People may say it’s an achievement to score goals but, really, a lot of it is due to the young lads around me,” Byrne said.

“It’s great playing in a team with the Kieran (Waters) and Adam (Hanlon), who are full of energy and put the ball into the box when needed. They’ve been a huge help to me.”

Congratulations Jason Byrne from Wanderers Weekly 

Team news for trip to Drogheda

Thanks to www.braywanderers.ie 

Bray Wanderers have just one injury doubt ahead of their trip North to take on Drogheda Utd. at Hunky Dory's Park on Friday night.

Jonathon Kelty has a shin injury and no decision on his availability will be made until just before kick-off. Sean Hurley has been addded to the travelling party for the game.

Speaking ahead of the game Bray's Director of Football Pat Devlin said that his side faced a tought schedule following a three week break with three games in seven days. He added "It will be a tough task in Drogheda, they are a very good side but we are looking forward to the challenge".

Betting Tips: Drogheda United (Away)

Well LOI football is back after the mid-season break.Time to get the euros out of your head and focus on LOI & on a busy period for the wanderers.

This Friday the seagulls travel up the M1 to face Drogheda United. Earlier in the season the Wanderers were defeated 4-2 at home by the Drogs. However the wanderers didn't deserve this defeat after having a man sent off and that changed the game.
Here are this weeks betting tips:

• Bray to win @ 5/2.
• Bray to be winning at half time and full time @ 5/1.
• Kieran Marty Waters to score first and Bray to win 2-1 @ 50/1.
• Bray Wanderers to win 2-0 @18/1.
• Jason Byrne first goalscorer @ 11/2.
• Bray wanderers to win and Adam Hanlon to score his first goal for the wanderers at anytime @11/1.

Wanderers weekly tip of the week: Bray Wanderers to score the first goal up to and including the 26th minute @7/2. 

Wanderers see of competition from Pats to sign O'Connor

It was today announced that Kevin O'Connor, the brother of seagulls captain Danny, has signed for Bray from Blue Square North side Worcester City.

Kevin who is 26 has had spells at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stockport and AFC Telford today spoke to www.worcesternews.co.uk about his move back to Ireland,


“When the season finished I went to work for my dad in Ireland but there were a few clubs interested. I trained with St Patrick’s Athletic and Bray, who were my local team.

“They wanted to sign me and they have also sorted me out with a job.

“It was an ideal situation because we (my family) had looked to go back to Ireland but I never thought it would happen this quickly.

“I have enjoyed my time at Worcester. I really enjoyed working with Carl (Heeley) and Matt (Gardiner) but moving back to Ireland and having a fresh start was very appealing to me.''.

Kevin will officially become a seagull on the 1st of July when the transfer window opens.His first game for Bray is likely to be the away game in Sligo.

Bradford City to visit the seaside

Bray Wanderers today announced that NPower League 2 side Bradford City will visit the Carlisle Grounds on Satuday July 28th.The game will have a 3pm kick off.

This brings to 4 the number of summer friendlies for the wanderers. Welsh Premier Division side Bangor City visit on June 16th, Scunthorpe United on July 17th, Wolves on July 21st and then Bradford.

July will now be a busy period for Bray with no fewer than 7 games including league games against,Sligo,Shels,Shamrock Rovers and Monaghan United

Bray Wanderers 3-1 UCD

Thanks to www.braywanderers.ie 
BRAY WANDERERS 3  UCD 1


The Seagulls notched up their fifth win this season with what was yet another defeat of the Students.

The game was just over a quarter of an hour old when Bray marksman Jason Byrne was in position to take full advantage of Adam Hanlon's short cross inside the UCD area.

But nine minutes later, equality was restored when Daniel Ledwith's 28m free curled over the wall and spun into Darren Quigley's net off the righthand post.

The sides went into the interval level, but Bray's play suggested there might be more to come from the home side.

Byrne brought his season tally to twelve League goals with a fine finish mid-way through the second period after his own shot and Waters' follow-up had been stymied.

And Mulroy's stoppage time burial of a last ditch cross by the lively Kieran "Marty" Waters was just the icing on the cake as the teams head into a mid-season break.


Report  Mícheál Ó hUanacháin


Bray Wanderers: 1 Darren Quigley; 2 David Webster, 6 Danny O’Connor (c), 22 Pierce Sweeney, 12 Kevin Knight; 16 Dean Zambra; 21 Adam Hanlon, 21 Seán Houston, 11 Kieran Waters; 18 John Mulroy; 10 Jason Byrne

Subs: 3 Dane Massey (for Houston 76), 5 Adam Mitchell, 8 Daire Doyle, 14 Graham Kelly, 17 Jonathan Kelty, 25 Brian Kane (gk), 26 Shane O'Connor


UCD: 16 Mark McGinley; 17 Daniel Ledwith, 4 David O'Connor, 5 Michael Leahy (c), 3 Ciaran Nangle; 15 Tyrone McNelis, 8 Paul O'Conor, 6 Paul Corry, 10 Robert Benson, 21 Dean Clarke; 9 Graham Rusk

Subs: 2 Mark Langtry (for McNelis 62), 7 Gary Burke (for Rusk 87), 13 Hugh Douglas, 14 James Kavanagh, 18 Barry McCabe, 26 Chris Lyons (for Clarke 62), 28 John Kelly



Referee: Anthony Buttimer