UCD to face Waterford in promotion/relegation play-off after beating Bray

Bray 0-2 UCD

As ever the case this season, Colm Whelan proved the match-winner with a stunning free kick goal and a sublime assist to put UCD into the promotion/relegation play-off.

Andy Myler’s Students now meet Waterford next Friday to decide which division the respective clubs play in next season.

Roared on by very much the majority of support in the stand, Bray were the first to settle.

But UCD soon took command as the Seagulls had a let-off 20 minutes in when Harvey O’Brien failed to get a decent connection to Paul Doyle’s quick free kick as he headed wide.

The frame of their goal then rescued Bray on 37 minutes.

Right-back Michael Gallagher’s excellent ball down the right sent Dara Keane to the end line. The pullback found Whelan who took a touch before rifling a drive off Maher’s left-hand post.

With a little more purpose to their game from the resumption, Bray stretched UCD with Brandon Kavanagh having a deflected shot comfortably held by Lorcan Healy.

Kavanagh then found Joe Doyle whose flicked header was straight at the UCD keeper.

An uncharacteristic route one approach saw UCD respond on 58 minutes.

Bray skipper Aaron Barry allowed Sam Todd’s ball over the top to bounce through for the run of Whelan with Brian Maher forced into a fine save with his legs.

With the game opened up, Richie O’Farrell’s clever feet back at the other end set up Doyle who curled his shot over the bar.

But Wanderers had Maher to thank again on 63 minutes, the Ireland under-21 goalkeeper saving smartly on his line from Kerrigan’s close range flick after Whelan worked the opening.

Maher was left rooted to the spot five minutes later, though, UCD taking the lead as Andrew Quinn’s foul on Whelan proved costly.

Whelan took the direct strike himself to find the corner of the net for his 26th goal in all competitions this season.

Ireland under-21 cap Whelan then turned provider with a delightful chipped pass for Doyle to cut past a defender and drill a shot to the net on 87 minutes.

And Whelan might have added a third in stoppage time but for Maher producing the save of the night to tip his drive over the bar.

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