Justin Ferizaj's overhead kick in the last moments of a tense encounter gifted Bray Wanderers a chance to play for Premier Division football as the Seagulls overcame Treaty United in Athlone.
While the finishing was leaving a lot to be desired for the majority of play, a moment of top-tier quality was the difference between the two, as Bray now face Waterford next Friday.
The clubs endured very different experiences on their path to the First Division play-offs – as Treaty United overcame Cobh Ramblers in a feisty Munster derby that needed extra time, while Bray always seemed in control over UCD; running out 4-2 winners from that tie.
And while the 14-point gap between the sides in the league table would indicate a sizeable enough gap, the four league meetings have been split evenly this season.
Each won their home games against the other respectively, which made a neutral venue the perfect settler.
Bray and Limerick representatives have shared a common plight, with the pair finishing in the bottom two of the Premier Division in 2018. The Seagulls haven’t returned to the top tier since then, and Limerick FC would cease to compete in the League of Ireland after 2019.
Treaty United took up that vacancy in 2021, with their first-ever game coming in the Carlisle Grounds.
In terms of pre-match build-up, a shadow was cast over the play-offs in general as Bray starlet Billy O’Neill’s suspension was upheld.
The Co Wicklow dominated the ball in the opening 20 minutes but couldn’t find the final touch despite Sean Brennan’s brilliant touches. Go figure.
From then until half-time, the Limerick side dictated and produced back-to-back efforts that easily could have opened the scoring.
First, a corner from the right found Mark Byrne’s late run to the back post completely unchecked. His header could only find the crossbar.
And while Billy O’Neill missed out, Treaty’s number nine returned from injury just in time – Patrick Ferry showed that rust when he couldn’t convert the chance of the game after being fed by the brilliant Lee-J Lynch.
Lee Devitt won every club honour this year on Shannonside, and was also included in the PFAI First Division team of the season. His volley just fifteen minutes into the second half smacked the crossbar – and almost added to the highlight reel that handed him those accolades.
It would be the last real effort that Treaty would muster, though. Bray went on to dominate play for the final 20 minutes, and the emphatic finish in the final seconds of normal time ensured Paul Heffernan will be preparing his charges for Waterford this Friday.
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Alain Kizenga, Cillian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy; Cian Doyle, Rhys Bartley (Rhys Knight, 64); Conor Knight (Guillermo Almirall, 64), Sean Brennan, Justin Ferizaj; Cian Curtis.
Treaty United: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Eoin Martin, Rickov Boevi, Ben Lynch; Colin Conroy, Lee-J Lynch (Roy Lawlor, 89); Karl O’Sullivan, Lee Devitt, Mark Byrne (Ben Lee, 89); Patrick Ferry (Joe Hanson, 60).
Referee: Declan Toland.
