UCD book playoff final date with Drogheda

UCD finally overcame Bray Wanderers at the fifth time of asking this season

UCD’s Sean Murphy and Luca Cailloce celebrate at the final whistle. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

League of Ireland playoff: Bray Wanderers 1 UCD 3 

AT THE FIFTH time of asking this season, UCD finally overcame Bray Wanderers when it mattered most - to book their place in the final of the promotion/relegation play-offs with Drogheda United. 

In a hugely entertaining first half, Dean O’Shea got the opener for Bray before two goals in quick succession from Sam Norval and Ciaran Behan turned the game on its head. With time running out man-of-the-match Hugh Smith bagged a brilliant third to set up an enthralling clash with Kevin Doherty’s men.

The Students looked comfortable in possession without really troubling Rian Hogan early on. But Paul Heffernan’s side lad on half hour after a quickly worked short corner routine set up O'Shea.

The talented Students, 4-0 aggregate winners over Longford in the semi-finals, responded immediately when Rian Hogan failed to collect a hopeful Luca Cailloce cross, under some pressure from Hugh Smith, spilling the ball to the feet of the grateful Norval who finished from close range.

UCD completed the turnaround six minutes later when the impressive Behan let fly from 25 yards, seeing his powerful low drive come off the helpless John Bilili Sesay, wrong footing Hogan.

The raucous 2,586 in Tolka Park roared on both sides. And it was back to the wall defending for the Students as Bray piled forward. Willy O’Connor’s side almost put the game out of reach but the off-balance Dignam shot straight at Hogan from the edge of the area.

With 10 minutes remaining, UCD managed to book their place in the final. Following a long ball down the left, Declan Osagie just failed to get enough on his header back towards his keeper, allowing Smith to steal in and finish expertly. Next it's Tallaght on Saturday at 5:30pm.

BRAY WANDERERS: Rian Hogan; Alain Kizenga, Jamie Duggan, Declan Osagie, Dean O’Shea (Ryan Kelly, 84’); John Billili Sesay (Ifunanyachi Achara, 75’), Ben McCormack, Ajibola Oluwabiyi, Richard Ferizaj, Tyreik Sammy; Endri Mustali (Ethan Cheese, 75’) 

UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Luca Cailloce, Carl Lennox, Harry Curtis, Sean Murphy; Sam Norval, Louis Dignam, Adam Wells (Jayden Goad, 75’), Ciaran Behan, Harry Curtis, Mikey McCullagh; Hugh Smith  

Referee: Mark Houlihan