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Date Time League Season
8 September 2023 7:45 pm LOI Men's First Division 2023

Match Report

Tribesmen Make Up For Slip Up Against Longford

A Stephen Walsh hattrick brought Galway United a step closer to the league title, beating a spirited Bray side 4-1.

Walsh’s first was cancelled out by a brilliant solo effort from Harry Groome but a David Hurley penalty and then a double Galway’s number 7 to round up his hattrick gave the Tribesman a massive boost in their run in for the First Division title.

A scrappy start to the game was played out by both sides and the opening goal by Galway summed it all up. A long throw into the box was cleared but only as far as David Hurley. Galway’s number ten unleashed a fierce strike which crashed back off the post.

First to react was Stephen Walsh and he managed to poke a volley with incredible reactions back towards goal and past Connor, who was still getting himself back up after Hurley’s effort.

Bray had not created much but had had their fair share of possession and brough the game back level with five minutes to go until half time. Harry Groome picked up a loose header and then drove at the Galway defence. He evaded two challenges before cutting inside and curling a fantastic finish past Clarke into his right-hand post and to send the home fans into raptures.

A much more frantic match unfolded in the second half, with chances flying in for both sides. It was Bray who looked the brighter in the opening minutes, with Clarke being called into action for a free kick from Craven.

However, a defensive error from the otherwise superb Omorehiomwan gave the league leaders the chance to retake the lead as the Bray defender bundled over substitute Francely Lomboto and referee Paul Norton pointed to the spot. Up stepped David Hurley and he sent Connor the wrong way.

Bray did not give up to their credit and went searching for an equaliser. Clarke almost got himself sent off in the Galway net after coming out to chase a long ball which Chris Lyons got a touch to first but then came tumbling down. The referee deemed Galway’s keeper to have made minimal contact with the Bray forward to the disgruntlement of the home supporters.

The away side wrapped up all three points the dying embers of the game with Walsh grabbing his hattrick. His first came from a quick Galway counter-attack where he was slipped in, and he fired a powerful shot which Connor could only get a touch to on its way into the net.

Less than a minute later and he had sealed his 14th goal of the season as Bray were caught playing around at the back by Dervin, who played the ball across the box and Walsh tapped home to the delight of the away fans. Four more points are what is now all that are needed for the Tribesman to wrap up the First Division title. 

Bray Wanderers

45Matthew Connor Goalkeeper
18Max Murphy Midfielder
3Len O’Sullivan 39 Defender
12Cole Omorehiomwan Defender
14Dane Massey Defender
8Harry Groome 7 Midfielder 40'
17Darren Craven Midfielder
21Guillermo Almirall Midfielder
33Sean Quinn 9 Midfielder 36'
32Yoyo Mahdy 19 Forward
1Alex Moody Goalkeeper
4Jack Hudson Defender
7Conor Crowley 8 Midfielder
9Chris Lyons 33 Forward
19Jake Walker 32 Forward
20Conor Knight Midfielder
23Lorcan Fitzgerald Defender
29Daniel Chukwu Forward
39Thomas Morgan 3 Forward

Galway Utd

1Brendan Clarke Goalkeeper
4Rob Slevin Defender
5Killian Brouder Defender
6Maurice Nugent Defender
7Stephen Walsh Forward 34', 93', 94'
10David Hurley Midfielder 67'
17Vincent Borden Defender
22Conor McCormack Midfielder
23Darren Clarke 19 Midfielder
24Edward McCarthy 12 Midfielder
31Wassim Aouachria 9 Forward 84'
9Rob Manley 31 Forward
12Aodh Dervin 24 Midfielder
16Alex Rutter Goalkeeper
18David Tarmey Forward
19Francely Lomboto 23 Forward
20Evan O’Connor Defender
29Oisin O’Reilly Defender
30Brian Cunningham Forward
8Daire McCarthy Midfielder
  • 94'

    Galway aren't done yet, Walsh isn't done yet and he grabs his hattrick and Galway's fourth. Dervin breaks down the right and sqaures across to the delight of the Galway talisman who taps home for his third. 4-1 and it is full time, closer Galway edge to the title.

  • 93'

    Stephen Walsh wraps the game up as Galway counter, the ball slipped through to Galway's number 7 and he slots it past Connor. 3-1!

  • 91'

    Four minutes added on and Bray make another change, Morgan for O'Sullivan.

  • 90'

    Yellow for Dervin for a high foot.

  • 86'

    Third change for the visitors as Aouachria is off and Manley is on up top in his place.

  • 84'

    Yellow card for Aouachria for a late challenge on Omorehiomwan.

  • 81'

    Clarke does it again, coming out and Lyons gets a touch past him and is seemingly brought down. The referee sees nothing in it and it ends up a Galway throw.

  • 77'

    Double Bray change, Crowley and Walker on for Groome and Mahdy.

  • 76'

    A mistake by Massey allows Aouachria to go through on goal, shepparded by Omorehiomwan. The Frenchman does get a fierce strike off however which Connor tips over acrobatically.

  • 70'

    Second Galway change as Dervin replaces McCarthy.

  • 67'

    Up steps Hurley and he tucks it away as calmly as you like, into the bottom right hand corner. 2-1 Galway!

  • 64'

    Penalty to Galway! Lomboto has been the difference maker here and he wins the spot kick, brought down by Omorehiomwan.

  • 60'

    Almost a Galway goal now as a corner flashes across the box and is then headed onto the cross bar and Bray manage to clear their lines.

  • 59'

    A brilliant strike from a free kick from Craven forces Clarke to tap it over and out for a corner.

  • 56'

    First change for Galway sees Lomboto on in place of Clarke.

  • 56'

    Bray creating a lot of chances now as Nugent makes a vital interception to stop Lyons from having a tap in.

  • 52'

    Huge chance for Bray to take the lead as Craven sees his effort 1-on-1 saved by Clarke to redeem himself for his antics a few minutes ago.

  • 49'

    Aouachria with an audacious effort that goes just wide following Brendan Clarke almost causing chaos for Galway, coming out to clear a long ball but getting tangled up with Chris Lyons, lucky that the ball broke to a fellow Galway player.

  • 45'

    Back underway here and Bray make a change, Lyons on for the booked Quinn.

  • 46'

    Half time and it is 1-1 here at the Carlisle. A very unusual goal for Galway and a great finish for Bray has it level here, more to come in the second half.

  • 45'

    A minute added on at the end of the half.

  • 40'

    Bray deservedly equalise! It\'s a fantastic goal too from Harry Groome who wriggles in-between Galway defenders and then curls a brilliant finish past Clarke. 1-1!

  • 36'

    Sean Quinn picks up the first booking of the game.

  • 34'

    An incredible goal but very strange too! A long range effort from Hurley crashes back off the post and the reactions from Stephen Walsh is sensational to volley it straight back and into the net. 1-0 Galway through bizarre circumstances.

  • 30'

    Bray's first chance of note comes from Thompson as he hits a curling effort on the edge of the box just wide.

  • 24'

    Been quite a scrappy game thus far, neither side have to able to shown any real attacking prowess.

  • 13'

    Bray have grown into the game and keeping possession well now.

  • 5'

    First effort of the game is a rocket of a strike from Stephen Walsh which flies just over the bar.

  • Underway here at the Carlisle.

  • Kick off approaching as both teams walk out onto the pitch.

  • One change for Bray tonight as Massey replaces Walker. As for Galway, they make three changes with Walsh, Clarke and Nugent in.

  • Good evening and welcome to a very warm Carlisle Grounds for tonight's game between Bray and Galway. Team news to follow.

Past Meetings

(Round 24)
3 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Bray Wanderers FC

(Round 17)
1 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC 1-1 Galway United FC

(Round 9)
6 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC 6-0 Bray Wanderers FC

(Round 29)
1 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United 1-2 Bray Wanderers

(Round 20)
1 - 5
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Galway United

(Round 12)
2 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United v Bray Wanderers

(Round 4)
1 - 3
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Galway United

(Play Off Semi Final - 2nd Leg)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Promotion / Relegation Playoffs
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United v Bray Wanderers

(Play Off Semi Final - 1st Leg)
0 - 0
LOI Men's Promotion / Relegation Playoffs
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Galway United

(Series 25)
1 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United v Bray Wanderers

(Series 16)
0 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Galway United

(Series 7)
1 - 2
LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United v Bray Wanderers

(Semi Final)
0 - 1
LOI Men's Promotion / Relegation Playoffs
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Galway Utd

(Series 17)
0 - 1
LOI Men's First Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers v Galway United

(Series 8)
0 - 0
LOI Men's First Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United v Bray Wanderers

3 - 3
LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC v Galway United FC

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Bray Wanderers FC

1 - 0
LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC v Galway United FC

2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Bray Wanderers FC

1 - 2
LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC v Galway United FC

4
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Bray Wanderers FC

1 - 1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC v Galway United FC

1
LOI Men's Premier Division
Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United FC v Bray Wanderers FC

5
LOI Men's Premier Division
Carlisle Grounds

Bray Wanderers FC v Galway United FC

Ground

Carlisle Grounds
Carlisle Grounds, Seapoint Road, Bray No 2, The Municipal District of Bray, County Wicklow, Leinster, A98 T9D9, Ireland

This second year journalism student in Dublin City University has an avid Soccer and League of Ireland fan since his first visit to the Carlisle Grounds over a decade ago.