Dundalk FC remain unbeaten with a commanding victory against Bray

Dundalk FC extended their unbeaten start to the SSE Airtricity League First Division season with a commanding 3-1 victory over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.

Fielding an unchanged line-up from their 2-2 draw against Treaty United at Oriel Park the previous week, The Lilywhites delivered a scintillating opening half-hour

Goals from Daryl Horgan, Dean Ebbe, and Eoin Kenny ensured a dominant display, as Dundalk asserted their authority in style, though Max Murphy’s 93rd-minute penalty did add some level of respectability to the scoreline for the Paul Heffernan’s side.

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Dundalk seized the advantage in the eighth minute, capitalising on a moment of uncertainty in the Bray defence. Jordon Tallon, in an unfortunate turn of events, inadvertently set up Dundalk captain Horgan following a neat touch from Ebbe.

The Lilywhites doubled their lead just three minutes later as Keith Ward’s corner from the left found Dervin at the far post, who smartly hooked the ball back into the danger area, where Ebbe rose to head home after yet more static defending from the hosts.

Ciaran Kilduff’s side pressed for further dominance before the interval, with another precise delivery from Ward met by defender Sean McHale, whose header drifted wide.

Horgan, the match-winner the last time these sides met in 2023, curled an effort just off target from outside the area, while Kenny’s ambitious strike from distance sailed wide.

Kenny, however, would not be denied for long. On 31 minutes, he opened his league account for the season, slotting home after Sean Keogh was granted two opportunities to whip the ball into the box after his initial cross had been cut out by a Bray defender.

Bray’s first meaningful attempt arrived on 37 minutes when Max Murphy’s corner was met by the head of Tallon, only for veteran Dundalk shot-stopper Peter Cherrie to save.

Dundalk continued to dictate as the first half drew to a close, with Dervin and Andy Paraschiv both trying their luck from distance, though neither could find the target.

Dundalk cruised through a largely uneventful second half in Wicklow, comfortably in control and carving out opportunities to extend their lead. Keogh came close to adding a fourth but sent his effort wide, while Ebbe—once again a lively presence in attack—was thwarted by Bray goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran, a former Dundalk player himself.

Ward’s delivery from the left caused further uncertainty in the Bray defence, with Corcoran struggling to deal with the cross before McHale lifted his attempt over the bar.

Kenny and Keogh both saw efforts drift off target, while Ebbe, who has now found the net three times in as many games, was denied a fourth by Corcoran, ensuring Dundalk’s dominance was not further reflected on the scoresheet before Max Murphy’s penalty.

Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Max Murphy, Killian Cantwell, Paul Murphy, Jamie Duggan; Cian Doyle (Rhys Knight 72), Jordon Tallon; Guillermo Almirall (Conor Knight 65), Richard Ferizaj (Rhys Bartley HT), Calum Costello (Billy O’Neill 72); Cian Curtis (Danu Kinsella-Bishop 65)

Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness (gk), Dylan Barnett, Harvey Warren, Philip Cooney

Dundalk FC: Peter Cherrie; Aodh Dervin, Vinnie Leonard, Sean McHale, Sean Keogh (Sean Spaight 88); Harry Groome, Andy Paraschiv (Gbemi Arubi 72); Eoin Kenny, Keith Ward (Shane Tracey 72), Daryl Horgan; Dean Ebbe (TJ Molloy 83)

Subs not used: Samuel Safaei (gk), Conor O’Keeffe, Mayowa Animasahun, Luke Mulligan, Muhammad Haris

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)

Attendance: 1,650