Cork City 2 Bray Wanderers 0
The final game of Bray’s centenary season ended in defeat as Cork lifted the SSE Airtricity League First Division title.
Two goals in the second period on Friday evening at a rain-swept Turner’s Cross saw City presented with the silverware after the final whistle.
But that was only after dogged display by Wanderers who matched the champions throughout.
From the side beaten last week by Cobh, the Seagulls made four changes to the team.
There were full senior debuts for both left-back Daniel O’Boyle and striker Josh McGlone.
Both Zak O’Neill and Conor Knight were recalled to the starting XI in the right full back and wing roles.
U19 defender Ben Houton was also included amongst the substitutes for the first time in the campaign.
The visitors gave the Leesiders a guard of honour as they came out on the pitch.
After Stephen McGuinness raced from his line to smother at the feet of the breaking Cian Murphy in the ninth minute, Ben Feeney saw his 11th effort parried by Mark McNulty.
The 42-year-old custodian was making huis last appearance for the Rebels before retiring.
He received a massive bit of luck in the 21st minute.
McGlone pounced on Cian Coleman’s back pass. The teenager then rounded the keeper. But from a tight angle, he could only find the side netting with the goal at his mercy.
Just before the half hour mark, a left wing cross came all the way across to Darragh Crowley who lashed a shot that came back off the upright.
As conditions deteriorated after the interval, both sides cancelled each other out.
But in front of 5,507 fans, the Munster outfit broke the deadlock in the 65th minute.
Former Wanderer Dylan McGlade was set free along the left flank. His low centre picked out Barry Coffey who side footed low to the net with a first-time placed finish.
With 16 minutes left on the clock, the visitors made a triple change which included Kieran Marty Waters who in the process made his 100th appearance for the club in all competitions.
Fellow reserve Callum Thompson had a chance to equalise in the 83rd minute. But he blasted high and over.
In the last minute of normal time, a quickly taken free from the Cork half saw Ruairi Keating race clear off the right flank before cutting in and scoring at the near post from an acute angle.
Cork City: Mark McNulty (James Corcoran 25); Cian Coleman, Ally Gilchrist, Jonas Häkkinen; Aaron Bolger; Darragh Crowley (Matthew Srbely 79), Mathew Healy (Gordon Walker 79), Kevin O’Connor (Dylan McGlade 61); Barry Coffey; Ruairi Keating, Cian Murphy (Mark O’Mahony 61).
Subs not used: Cian Bargary, James Doona, Franco Umeh, Louis Britton.
Bray Wanderers: Stephen McGuinness; Zak O’Neill, Jack Hudson, Hugh Douglas, Daniel O’Boyle (Conor McManus 86); Conor Knight, Conor Clifford, Eoin Massey (Darragh Lynch 74), Keith Dalton (Kieran Marty Waters 74); Josh McGlone (Callum Thompson 74), Ben Feeney.
Subs not used: Evan Harte, Ben Houton, Ugo Anny Nzekwue, Colin Kelly, Benjamin Clark.
Booked: Douglas 38.
Referee: Mark Moynihan (Dublin).
Pictures: Eoin Noonan (Sportsfile).