REPORT: Limerick 5-3 Bray Wanderers

Limerick edged an eight goal thriller thanks to two late goals at Markets Field, where Bray had fought back twice. Five goals in the opening 35 minutes were followed by three more after the break, as Limerick earned their second win under Neil McDonald.

A brace from Chiedozie Ogbene had given Limerick a commanding two goal lead inside twenty minutes. Ogbene raced clear of two Bray defenders and struck firmly past the onrushing Peter Cherrie to the delight of the home support. His second goal was a sublime effort, as a wonderful piece of skill from Bastien Hery allowed him to play a through ball to Ogbene, the former Cork City man cut in from the right and finished with ease.

However the Seagulls struck back immediately. Limerick failed to clear a Connolly cross and Ryan Brennan reduced the lead with a calm left-footed finish. A corner caused havoc on 25 minutes and Aaron Greene headed home a Ryan Brennan cross to level the game. Greene won the First Division with the Blues in 2016.

But the first-half scoring was far from done. Rodrigo Tosi headed Limerick back in front on 35 minutes, as Bray couldn’t cope with Limerick’s new unfamiliar shape. The Brazilian fed Lee Lynch who crossed to the head of the striker who beat Cherrie with accuracy rather than power. Tosi hit the bar soon after at a sun-drenched Markets Field.

The second-half proved to be a less entertaining affair. Tosi could have made it 4-2 but his side struggled to create clear openings after the break. Bray levelled the game in the final quarter as Gary McCabe netted a penalty after a foul on Brennan. But Neil McDonald’s side had the final say, as Bastien Hery and Dean Clarke netted late on to win the game. Hery powered home from 20 yards after the ball broke to him from a blocked shot. Moments later Dean Clarke hit the eight goal of the game as he raced onto what appeared to be a poor Tosi pass.