(Bray Wanderers win 4-2 on aggregate)
Bray Wanderers booked their place in Sunday's First Division play-off final thanks to a hard fought 3-2 win in a thrilling encounter by the sea.
Both sides could have been forgiven for being sick of the sight of each other as they faced off for the sixth time this season in another close encounter as they wrote the latest chapter of their intriguing rivalry.
Killian Cantwell put his side early on before Brian McManus equalised in the first half.
But second-half strikes from Cian Curtis and Richard Ferizaj sealed the deal for their side, who will look to go one further than last season, with Ciaran Behan adding a late consolation.
With a narrow one-goal advantage prior to kick-off, thanks to the late, late show on Friday night, the hosts hoped consistency would be key, making just one change as Conor Knight came in for Guillermo Almirall on the right.
It was the hosts who made the dream start, with yet another Max Murphy set-piece pricing the ace up their sleeve. With just three minutes on the clock Seagulls skipper Killian Cantwell peeled away from his marker and rose highest in a crowded penalty area to nod home the opener.through a body of blue shirts.
Things could have been so much worse for the Students five minutes later when Dara Kavanagh, recalled to the starting XI following his one game suspension, played a sloppy pass from the back straight to the feet of Curtis. The busy frontman took a slightly heavy touch, allowing Kavanagh the opportunity to save his blushes, diving bravely at his feet to reclaim the ball.
With their season on the line, the visitors eventually settled and responded well.
Willy O’Connor called on the experience of League of Ireland stalwart Ronan Finn - for his 156th appearance for the Students over his two spells - to skipper his side amongst three changes and the five-time Premier Division winner showed his quality with a raking ball to Adam Brennan on the left wing, who then won the corner that led to the equaliser on the night.
With set-pieces proving their Achilles heel, this time it worked in their favour. Ciaran Behan’s outswinging delivery wasn’t dealt with initially, eventually sitting up invitingly to be smashed home from close range by Brian McManus and it was game on again.
Rhys Knight, brother of Ireland international Jason and team-mate Conor, took up the creative mantle from the harshly suspended Billy O’Neill, and continued his excellent form by teeing up the impressive Justin Ferizaj who volleyed first time inches wide.
The feisty encounter showed no signs of slowing down as both sets of players battled for every inch. Tackles went flying in and threatened to boil over following a heavy challenge from goalscorer McManus but referee Daniel Byrne was quick on the scene to defuse the situation.
Following a strong start to the second from the visitors, it was the hosts who swayed the momentum back in their favour and had the clearest sight on goal just before the hour mark.
Former Student Sean Brennan, with his first touch after being introduced, burst into the box to latch onto Conor Knights square ball. Having some avoided the first tackle, the diminutive playmaker was smothered as he tried to pull the trigger.
Moments later, Brennan did haunt his side, playing a perfectly weighted slide rule pass to find Curtis, who held his run to break the offside trap.
The Kilnamanagh native tried to chip the onrushing Kavanagh but didn’t get enough on the effort and was both fortunate and grateful to see the ball rebound into his path as he slotted home to restore the two-goal lead.
Confidence was flowing through the side and looking to kill the game as a contest, Justin Ferizaj then picked the ball up out left before cutting in and unleashing an incredible effort from all of 30 yards that clipped the top of the cross bar and would have been a late contender for goal of the season.
The visitors threw the kitchen sink at Bray and having had a huge penalty claim waved away, Behan found himself unmarked in the area but spurned a gilt-edged chance with the goal at his mercy.
On the counter, the hosts added a third on the night in injury time when the Ferizaj brothers combined to put the contest beyond doubt when Justin played in his 16-year-old sibling Richard, who showed composure beyond his years to slip the ball under Kavanagh.
There was still time Behan to get a goal his performance deserved, taking the shine off the final scoreline for the disappointed Students, who fell at the semi-final hurdle against the Seagulls for the second successive season.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga (Jamie Duggan, 66’), Killian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Justin Ferizaj, Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley, Conor Knight (Paul Murphy, 85’); Rhys Knight (Sean Brennan, 57’), Cian Curtis (Richard Ferizaj, 85’)
Subs not used: Stephen McGuinness, Leon Keogh, Benjamin Fagemi, Cristiano Bramley, Matthew Britton
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Adam Wells, Niall Holohan (Killian Cailloce, 75’), Eanna Clancy, Adam Brennan (Michael Raggett, 90’); Adam Verdon (Hugh Smith, 66’); Mikey McCullagh (Louis Dignam, 66’), Ciaran Behan, Brian McManus, Jake Doyle; Ronan Finn
Subs not used: Noah Douglas, Carl Lennox, Declan Osahie, Matthew Alonge, Luke O’Regan, Colin Bolton
Referee: Daniel Murphy
