Bray Wanderers defeat Kerry to record historic seventh successive league win 

Billy O'Neill of Bray Wanderers after the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.

Bray Wanderers 4 Kerry 2

Bray Wanderers created a new club record of seven successive First Division victories as they powered past bottom of the table Kerry.

Two goals in four minutes saw the Seagulls lead 2-0 by the 11th minute on Friday at the Carlisle Grounds.

Striker Danú Kinsella Bishop scored once in each half while Cian Doyle registered his first senior score for the home side.

But they had to withstand a late rally by the visitors before sealing the points to move them level on points with leaders Dundalk, who play Longford on Saturday.

It also meant that the Seasiders continued their hoodoo of never losing to the side from the Kingdom since they joined back in 2023 – now totalling nine fixtures.

Despite a solid start by the visitors, it was Wanderers who made the chances count.

In the eighth minute, Billy O’Neill’s deflected cross from the endline dropped for Kinsella Bishop to score with a close-range header.

Then in the 11th minute, O’Neill showed great pace to burst past two defenders down the right flank. His low centre picked out Doyle who slotted in low from 12-yards.

That prompted away Head Coach Conor McCarthy to make a triple substitution after just 16 minutes.

But Bray claimed a third six minutes into the second period. Doyle turned provider as his low centre from the left was converted at the near post by Kinsella Bishop.

Kerry pulled one back in the 82nd minute. Okwuy Okwute cut the ball back to the unmarked Ryan Kelliher, who tapped in.

Then in the 88th minute, sub Ronan Tehan crossed for Kelliher to score with a glancing header.

But in the first minute of stoppage time, Bray sub Cian Curtis made it 4-2 after good work by fellow reserve Callum Costello.

Elsewhere Jack Doyle's 69th minute header earned ten man UCD, who saw Cathal McCarthy sent off ten minutes earlier, a huge three points away at Wexford.

Bray Wanderers: Corcoran; Max Murphy, Cantwell, Warren, Duggan; Bartley (Tallon 76), Doyle; O'Neill (Considine 76), Ferizaj (Almirall 59), Conor Knight (Costello 64); Kinsella Bishop (Curtis 64).

Kerry: Hiemer; Dunne (Aladesanusi 16), McQueen, Alabi, Stanic-Floody (O’Connell 16; Brosnan 90 + 3); Okwute, Brookwell, McGrath, Adams (Teahan 16); Kelliher, Palmer (Keane 70).

Referee: John S. Walsh (Wexford).