2 v 0 
Finn HarpsVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 May 2023 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2023 |
Match Report
In a match of many last-minute interventions, a pair of excellently executed goals from captain Dane Massey and Harry Groome earned Bray Wanderers a 2-0 win over Finn Harps. With the sun setting over the Carlisle Grounds pitch, Bray made the early running despite losing the lively Guillermo Almirall to injury eight minutes in. Ben Feeney spurned a decent chance, aiming straight at Tim Heimer but the home forward quickly atoned in the twentieth minute. Ger Shortt swung in the corner and with Harps static in defence, Feeney’s intelligent header across took them unawares as did captain Dane Massey’s powerful close-range header, to put the finishing touch on a well-worked set piece. The strike, Massey’s sixth for Bray, sent the sun-drenched crowd (mostly) into bedlam and only alert sweeper-keepering by Heimer denied them a second after a swift counterattack. In a frenetic first half often featuring last-minute stretches, some forlornly, for the ball, Eoin Farrell was the home hero after Harps had a 2-on-1 counterattack spoiled by his impeccably timed sliding intervention. Caoimhin Porter’s back-post presence was enough to put off Shortt from inside the box as the players could draw breath, separated by Massey’s second strike in a week. Finn Harps, presumably after manager Dave Rogers had words, emerged all guns blazing with Ryan Flood, scourge of Bray in Ballybfoey back in March, whistling low at Moody. Shaun O’Donnell, starting for the first time this season, then hit woodwork twice with one well-crafted header that had Moody stranded, a reprieve for the home side. Rogers introduced Michael Harris and Damian Duffy as the Bray rear-guard threatened to buckle. Harris sprinted in on the left-hand side of the area but was denied by Cole Omorehiomwan’s terrifically timed sliding tackle, impeccable given the score and the fact that he was on a booking! Eventually, the visitors’ profligacy, a theme that has haunted them all season, was punished. Feeney, again the creator, shimmying beyond tired Harps players, his chip in from the left went untouched by the defence and Harry Groome bagged his second strike in as many games, a half-volley hit so crisply that it made all other shots, simply, well, look a bit silly! Up next for Bray is a trip to buoyant Kerry after their surprise 3-2 triumph over Athlone tonight. Finn Harps have the awkward task of halting free-scoring Waterford next Friday, they and Rogers need results (and ninety minute performances) to turn in soon.Massey on target as Bray playoff charge goes on
Timeline
| Guillermo Almirall Darren Craven | 8' | |
| 15' | Keith Cowan | |
| 14. Dane Massey | 20' | |
| 5. Cole Omorehiomwan | 31' | |
| 46' | Filip Da Silva Daniel Okwute | |
| 12. Luka Lovic | 47' | |
| Conor Davis Callum Thompson | 68' | |
| 8. Harry Groome | 70' | |
| 71' | Daniel Okwute Michael Harris | |
| 76' | Sean O'Donnell Damian Duffy | |
| 8. Harry Groome | 86' | |
| Ger Shortt Dave Webster | 87' | |
| Eoin Farrell Leon Ajala | 87' | |
| 92' | Shane McMonagle Kevin Jordan | |
| 92' | Damian Duffy Brendan McLaughlin |
Past Meetings
|
(Round 3)
1 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC 1-1 Bray Wanderers FC |
7 - 5eLOI Group D
Online Event Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers |
|
(2nd Round)
0 - 2FAI Cup
Carlisle Grounds Bray Wanderers v Finn Harps |
2 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds Bray Wanderers FC v Finn Harps FC |
3LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Bray Wanderers FC |
5 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds Bray Wanderers FC v Finn Harps FC |
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Bray Wanderers FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds Bray Wanderers FC v Finn Harps FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Bray Wanderers FC |
Ground
| Carlisle Grounds |
|---|
| Carlisle Grounds, Seapoint Road, Bray No 2, The Municipal District of Bray, County Wicklow, Leinster, A98 T9D9, Ireland |
FULL TIME: Bray Wanderers win it by 2-0 and two cracking goals! Job done for them, Harps will rue their second half wastefulness and lacklustre first half
Late double change for the hosts- Dave Webster and Leon Ajala on for Shortt and Farrell. Finn Harps also change two, Porter and McMonagle departing as we enter four minutes of ET
GOAL 2-0 to Bray! And that is surely the three points secured! What a passage of play, Feeney battles down the left, evades the covering tacklers, his chipped cross is a beauty and Groome wallops in a ferocious second!
Into the final five minutes (plus injury time), Bray despite shaking in this half, look sturdier in recent moments
Duffy's cross is just about scooped clear, Roger's subs are making an impact, can they draw the Donegal side level?
Damian Duffy on for O'Donnell in another Harps change, they're knocking on the door...
Harris, sprung from the bench, immediately runs through on the left side but Cole Omorehimwan times his tackle excellently, especially when he's on a booking!
Harry Groome is the third home player in Daniel Murphy's book meanwhile Dave Rogers introduces Michael Harris for Okwute who has taken a knock
Bray's second substitution sees the pacy Callum Thompson replace Davis
Great combination play down the right by Farrell and Feeney as the latter crosses but Davis' contact is miscued, the ball bobbling harmlessly wide off his shin
POST: Sean O'Donnell hangs in the air, his header is soaring goalwards but it's off the post, off of Moody and hacked away- best chance for the vistors by a mile!
Jinking feet from first Farrell, then Conor Davis creates a chance for Shortt who shoots high, Harps sliced open there!
Ryan Flood flashes a drive at Moody before a clash of heads here- Lovic harshly booked for it
Back underway- change for Harps at the break, Daniel Okwute has replaced Filip da Silva up front
HALF TIME- Bray 1-0 up thanks to Massey
Caoimhin Porter does superbly to get in front of Ger Shortt inside the penalty area, fine defending from the Harps' right back!
Craven cranks a half-volley just wide as the sun sets over the Carlisle Grounds with half time on the horizon
BIG block by Eoin Farrell as from the same corner routine, this time Finn Harps counter, they're 2-on-1 until Farrell's perfectly timed sliding intervntion rescues the hosts!
A few vehement handball appeals asides, Harps struggling to respond but they have stifled a lively-looking Bray attack in the last few moments, it's if their own attack can function that will get them back into this!
GOAL- Bray ahead and it's a reliatevly easy goal! Feeny heads a set piece back across and with Harps at sixes and sevens, Massey propels his header past Tim Heimer!
Harps captain Keith Cowan collects the first card tonight, crudely fouling Ben Feeney
Bit of misfortune for Almirall who hobbles off with Darren Craven his replacement. In between, Seamas Keogh has warmed Alex Moody's gloves as Harps enjoy the ball
All Bray in the early stages here, Harps are properly penned inside their own half with Luka Lovic and Guillermo Almiral especially looking zesty in possession
KICK OFF
Bray are boosted by the return to fitness of Cole Omorehiomwan whilst Sean O'Donnell starts for the first time up front for Finn Harps
A very good evening to you and welcome to tonight's LOI action- we're in the First Division here where midtable Bray Wanderers are hosting a Finn Harps struggling to adjust to life back in the lower tier- kick off is at 7:45pm