Veteran Byrne breaks Monaghan resistance

Veteran striker Jason Byrne struck in the 86th minute as Bray Wanderers snatched all three points at Gortakeegan.

The game had a lively start with both sides probing, but it wasn’t until the dying minutes of the first half when the best chance to break the deadlock came. Kieran Marty Watters burst through the Monaghan defence and was one-on-one with Monaghan goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann but scuffed his shot wide.

For a third successive week, Monaghan found themselves down to 10 men when Keith Quinn was shown a straight red for a two-footed tackle on Dave Webster in the 68th minute.

Like last week, this seemed to be a much-needed catalyst and United came forward stronger initially.

Slowly but surely, however, Bray pegged them back.

The numerical advantage was clear to be seen as the game developed and Jason Byrne made the most of it at the death, slotting home a Kevin Knight pass from an Adam Hanlon corner to give Bray a deserved lead.

The visitors had the best of the chances in the closing minutes but had to settle for their single goal advantage.

MONAGHAN UNITED: Schlingermann; Whelan, Maher, McMahon, Reynor; Bayly (McDonagh 64), Quinn, Maher (Humphrey 65) Keegan; Murphy (McGuinness 52), Griffiths.

BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley; Webster, Massey, Knight, Sweeney; Zambra, Watters, O’Connor, Hanlon; Byrne, Mulroy.

Referee: Rob Rogers.