Monaghan U 0 Bray W 1:BEFORE A very small attendance at Gortakeegan veteran striker Jason Byrne proved the difference between the sides, earning Bray the points with a late winner.
Byrne had given an indication of his intentions early on, as he went close in the very first minute with a fine effort. That triggered an immediate response from Monaghan’s Jason Keegan who was just wide with his deflected effort.
Anybody expecting a flood of goals after the bright opening would prove to be disappointed as midfield battles became the main order of the evening.
The second half began with Bray to the fore and they always looked the more likely to make the breakthrough. Byrne again looked dangerous, twice going close, while Dane Massey also squandered a good chance.
Bray’s chances improved further when Monaghan midfielder Keith Quinn received a straight red card on 70 minutes. Byrne finally delivered the goal he had been threatening after 86 minutes as he connected with Kevin Knight’s cross from close range.
MONAGHAN UNITED: Schlingermann, Whelan, McMahon, Maher, Reynor, Maher (Humphrey 64), Bayly (McDonagh 64) Keegan, Quinn, Murphy (McGuinness 52), Griffiths.
BRAY WANDERERS: Quigley, Webster, O’Connor, Massey (Bolger 85), Sweeney, Zambra, Byrne, Hanlon, Waters, Knight, Mulroy (Hueston 78).
Referee: R Rogers.
