Shamrock Rovers and Bray Wanderers drew for the second time in the
Airtricity Premier League this season. A 0-0 draw at the Tallaght
Stadium on Friday night will probably please Pat Devlin more than it
will please Stephen Kenny.
In a game which was played in the summer sunshine, Bray created the
first chance of the game and should have taken the lead in the 9th
minute. After a fine passing movement on the right Kevin O'Connor
played in Adam Hanlon but Hanlon somehow hit his shot high and wide
from 8 yards out.
Ronan Finn had Rover's first real effort on goal in the 15th minute.
He turned away from Kevin O'Connor and hit a fine shot from 30 yards
out. Bray goalkeeper Darren Quigley dived high to his left to keep the
ball out.
Soon after Daryl Kavanagh missed a great chance for the home side.
Stephen O'Donnell played the ball to Finn who found Billy Dennehy.
Dennehy crossed from the left with his right foot. He picked out
Kavanagh but the former Pats striker headed wide from close range when
it seemed easier to score.
In the 33rd minute Dennehy missed an open goal for Rovers. Finn put
in a perfect cross from the right and Dennehy got to it first but he
managed to put the ball over the bar, although he was under pressure
from Adam Mitchell.
The busy Dennehy created another chance for Rovers in the 3rd minute
of injury time. Once again he crossed from the left. This time he
picked out Gary O'Neill. However O'Neill just like Kavanagh before him
headed wide from 6 yards out.
After Kavanagh came close again for Rovers early in the second half,
Dennehy created another chance for O'Neill in the 63rd minute. The
former Cork City player crossed from the left and found Rover's number
10 who somehow miskicked form six yards out.
Bray were giving as good as they got though, and Jason Byrne almost
scored another league of Ireland goal in the 71st minute. Adam Hanlon
made an excellent run down the right and his cross found Byrne who
rose highest. The Bray striker's header would have found its' way into
the bottom corner but for an excellent fingertip save from Oscar
Jansson. From the resultant corner Adam Mitchell headed straight at
the Shamrock Rover goalkeeper.
The visitors almost scored on the counter attack in the 75th minute.
After a poor corner from Dennehy the ball found its way to John Mulroy
on the Bray left. Mulroy's outstanding reverse pass found Byrne. This
time the experienced striker hit a low shot towards the bottom corner
but his effort just shaved the post.
The chances continued to come. In the 78th minute Shamrock Rovers
substitute Gary McCabe cut in from the left and hit a stunning right
foot shot from 25 yards out which hit the crossbar.
In the 87th minute Dennehy created another opportunity. His corner
from the right picked out Colin Hawkins. Hawkins headed it down to
Killian Brennan but Brennan who was under pressure from the Bray
defence could only hit his half volley over the top.
That was the last chance of an entertaining encounter. Some Shamrock
Rovers fans were chanting “we want Kenny out” at the end of another
frustrating home draw for the champions. Stephen Kenny looked agitated
throughout the second half and on this form his team will not be
defending their league title. Bray deserved a point and will be
encouraged by the fact that they have now drawn away to Sligo Rovers
and Shamrock Rovers in their last two away games.
Shamrock Rovers: Oscar Jansson; Pat Sullivan, Ken Oman (c) (Conor
McCormack 35), Colin Hawkins, Conor Powell, Chris Turner, Ronan Finn,
Stephen O'Donnell (Killian Brennan 37), Billy Dennehy; Gary O'Neill,
Daryl Kavanagh (Gary McCabe 61).
Subs not used: Reyaad Pieterse, Ciaran Kilduff, Stephen Rice, Kerrea Gilbert.
Booked: None.
Sent-off: None.
Bray Wanderers: Darren Quigley; Shane O'Connor, Danny O'Connor, Adam
Mitchell, Dane Massey; Adam Hanlon (Johnatan Kelty 82), Kevin
O'Connor, Dean Zambra, John Mulroy, Sean Houston; Jason Byrne (Ismahil
Akinded 88).
Subs not used: Daire Doyle, Graham Kelly, Lee Dixon, Pat Seery, Brian Kane.
Booked: Kevin O'Connor (77)
Sent-off: None.
Referee: Alan Kelly.
Attendance: 2,100 estimate.
Man of the match: Adam Mitchell (Bray Wanderers).
© Seamus Egan 2012
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