Late Knight goal for Bray sends Finn Harps crashing out of Cup

Finn Harps’ woes on the pitch continued as Bray Wanderers dumped them out of the FAI Cup with a goal in the very last minute of the tie. Finn Harps 0 Bray Wanderers 1 By Stuart Connolly at Finn Park Scoreless at the break, clear-cut chances were at a premium and extra time looked to be on the horizon when Conor Knight scored to secure Bray Wanderers first win at Finn Park since August 2024. Finn Harps made two changes after defeat last week, and in preparation for a cup tie or any game for that matter, an injury in the warmup is less than ideal. Conor Tourish was forced out of the action as Gavin McAteer and Aaron McLaughlin returned. The visitors, who won at a canter last week, had the first opportunity but Joel Bradley-Walsh came out on top to halt a dangerous two-on-one involving Tyreik Sammy and Kyle Tucker. Nathan Lumingo had the first sight of goal for Harps and from pretty close range, but the header was straight at James Corcoran. At the other end, Ethan Cheese had an attempted lob bounce wide, while Ryan Kelly fizzed an effort off target. Sammy was also involved in the action in the final third with Lorenzo Piaia required to make a couple of routine saves as the midway stage of the half approached. Prior to and beyond the half hour, it was a tale of two free kicks, with one at each end. Bernardo Monteiro's strike from roughly 20 yards wasn't far away, while the effort from Kyle Tucker almost cleared the Town End wall. Monteiro and Lumingo had the last chances of the half close to the last minute of stoppage time, but both were blocked by a green and white wall. Into the second half, and Bray had the first crack at goal as a looping header from Tucker floated just wide. Finn Harps had the best chance for the breakthrough after the hour. A pull back from Aaron McLaughlin took a deft touch and rolled invitingly for Darragh Coyle, who took a touch before a shot over the bar from less than ten yards out. At the other end of the park, Cheese had an attempt comfortably caught by Piaia, while the net-minder also got down well to hold onto an effort from range from Endri Mustali with 73 minutes on the stopwatch. Into the final stretch of the game, Bray Wanderers amped up the pressure. Sammy had the ball in the back of the Harps net but the celebrations were cut short due to the offside flag, while Cian Doyle was denied by the base of the post after a shot from the edge of the box. In the final minute of stoppage time, Harps were caught out on the break and their opponents snatched the win. A loose ball was picked up in the midfield by Cheese and his through ball was perfect for Conor Knight to latch onto before a short run and low finish beyond the advancing Piaia. Gavin McAteer had one last shot in the seconds that followed but a big deflection took it off target. Finn Harps: Lorenzo Barbosa; Josh Cullen, Max Hutchison, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Alex Fanle; Oran Brogan, Darragh Coyle, Bernardo Monteiro (Adam McDaid 84), Gavin McAteer, Aaron McLaughlin (Shaunie Bradley 84); Nathan Lumingo (Odhran McHugh 71). Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Declan Osagie, Benjamin Fagbemi (Bailey Shelley 69), Dean O'Shea; Jamie Ryan, Ryan Kelly (Endri Mustali 69), Cian Doyle, Kyle Tucker (Conor Knight 59), Ethan Cheese; Tyreik Sammy. Referee: Paul McLaughlin