Bray win First Division final for second consecutive year with a late Ferizaj winner

WINNER: Bray’s Justin Ferizaj celebrates scoring a late goal to win the game. Picture: @ INPHO/James Crombie

LOI First Division play-off final: Bray Wanderers 1 (Ferizaj 90) Treaty Utd 0

A moment of magic by Justin Ferizaj saw Bray win the First Division final for the second year in a row.

With extra time looming at the Athlone Town Stadium on Sunday afternoon, Wanderers snatched a dramatic 90th minute victory to defeat Treaty 1-0.

It means they will face Premier Division Waterford FC in the Promotion/Relegation play-off next Friday at Tolka Park in Dublin.

With normal time just up, Max Murphy directed a free into the box. It ran loose and was picked up by Seasiders captain Kilian Cantwell. He lobbed the ball back into the danger zone.

Cian Doyle won a header. The ball dropped to Ferizaj who swivelled to score with a brilliant overhead right footed effort from eight-yards to spark wild celebrations.

United will feel hard done by, as they were the better side in the first period. And struck the woodwork twice.

But Bray finished the contest strongly to repeat their success of 12 months ago when they overcame Athlone Town on penalties.

But then succumbed to then FAI Cup winners Drogheda United in the Promotion/Relegation tie.

It was the fifth meeting of the sides in the 2025 season, with both clubs winning their two home games at the Carlisle Grounds and Markets Field respectively.

From the side who’d beaten UCD in the semi-finals, the Wicklow outfit made one change, as Sean Brennan came in for Rhys Knight in midfield.

The Munster outfit – after their success over Cobh Ramblers – too made one change to their starting XI. Patrick Ferry came in for Joe Hanson up front.

The Seagulls began brightly with Brennan sending a third minute glancing header across the face of goal when losing his marker to get on the end of Max Murphy’s free-kick.

The Limerick team responded in the 17th minute. But Jimmy Corcoran easily gathered Mark Byrne’s header.

On 22, after good work by Cian Curtis, Conor Knight crossed for the right. Ferizaj’s header was deflected After the corner was cleared, Max Murphy played a raking cross-field pass. Kilian Cantwell laid off to Ferizaj. But Corey Chambers blocked the low shot with his legs.

But it was the Shannonsiders who first the period strongly.

Mark Byrne headed Lee Devitt’s 39th minute corner off the bar.

Less than a minute later, Cantwell made a vital last gasp tackler to prevent Ferry from breaking the dead-lock.

Then on 43, Corcoran superbly tipped over Devitt’s swerving shot from outside the box.

Amid the drizzle, Wanderers started the second half well, with Curtis stinging Chambers palms in the 52nd minute.

Just before the hour, a sweeping move involving six players ended with Curtis firing over the bar from inside the penalty area.

Devitt went close for Treaty again in the 62nd minute. But his dipping 22-yard half volley hit the top of the bar and bounced over.

With 12 minutes of normal time remaining, Chambers had to backpedal to push over sub Rhys Knight’s looping header off Justin Ferzaj’s floated centre.

Bray Wanderers: Corcoran; Kizenga, Cantwell, Warren, M Murphy; Doyle, Bartley (Rhys Knight 68); Ferizaj, Brennan (P Murphy 90 +2), Knight (Almirall 68); Curtis.

Treaty United: Chambers; O’Connor, Boevi, Martin, B Lynch; Devitt, Conroy; O’Sullivan, L Lynch (Lawlor 89), Byrne (Lee 89); Ferry (Hanson 61).

Referee: Declan Toland (Midland)