Bohemian FC Bray Wanderers Drogheda United Dundalk Shamrock Rovers Sligo Rovers St. Patricks Ath Athlone Town Finn Harps Cork City Derry SD Galway Limerick FC Longford Town Mervue Utd Monaghan United Shelbourne UCD Waterford United Wexford Youths
 
 
 
Bray Wanderers 0 Shamrock Rovers 0
Friday, 06 March 2009 14:43
Bray Wanderers and Shamrock Rovers fought out a scoreless draw in their opening Premier Division clash at the Carlisle Grounds.

The Seagulls, inspired by Aussie 'keeper Chris O'Connor, made a mockery of pre-season predictions that they would be among the relegation candidates with a battling performance.

There was no dream start for new Rovers boss Michael O'Neill - the fans will have to be patient as the former Northern Ireland international starts building a new-look Hoops side.

There was a real feel-good factor before the start of the game when young Bray supporters paraded in front of an appreciative huge Hoops travelling support with a massive banner with the words emblazoned "Best of luck in Tallaght Stadium - Bray Wanderers supporters."

But Eddie Gormleys' side were in no mood to continue the good wishes when striker Paddy Kavanagh evaded the tackle of Simon Madden when cutting in from the left early on only to shoot straight at 'keeper Barry Murphy.

O'Connor then came to the home side's rescue when punching away a dangerous swirling cross from Rovers winger Stephen Bradley. And it was O'Connor who again showed his skills on 13 minutes when going full length length to push a 30 yard pile-driver from Ollie Cahill round the post after an untidy clearance by the Bray defence.

Stephen Rice was then wide of the target for Rovers from long range after an intricate move started by Madden on the right and then slick passing between Shane Robinson and Cahill.

Bray were desperately unlucky not to take the lead seconds before the interval when a long thow-in by Dane Massey on the left was nodded on by Daire Doyle for striker Paul Byrne to shoot against the inside of the upright from six yards. Fortunately for Rovers, defender Ian Bermingham was back to make a vital clearance.  

Rovers, with six close-season signings making their debuts, almost made the breakthrough early in the second half when a quick free by Dessie Baker allowed Cahill to get in a snap shot from ten yards just inches wide of the target with O'Connor for once beaten.    

Robinson again went close for the Hoops on 65 minutes when his 20 yard effort was brilliantly pushed away by O'Connor after Stephen Bradley had created the opening though midfield.

A fine switch of passes between Gary Twigg and Stephen Rice then set up another chance for Rovers only for Baker's effort from 12 yards to deflect off the Bray defence for a corner.

Man of the match O'Connor did well to again keep a clean sheet when pushing out another crack shot from Robinson after late substitute Tadgh Purcell had set up the chance in added time.

Bray Wanderers - O'Connor; Pender. Foran (Webster 89), Deans, Massey; Coughlan,  Doyle, Mulcahy, McCabe (Mulroy 79); Kavanagh, Byrne (Forsyth 84).

Shamrock Rovers - Murphy; Madden, Price, Webb, Bermingham; Bradley  (O'Connor 73) , Robinson, Rice, Cahill; Twigg ( Purcell 76), Baker (Doyle 84).

Referee - Anthony Buttimer (Cork).
 
 
 
Website Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. The Football Association of Ireland endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct. Fixtures data may change and whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information displayed on this website is correct and up to date, we are not liable for any errors. The Football Association of Ireland takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.