Cork City vs Bray Wanderers

Recap

By Graham Cummins for EchoLive.ie

A huge crowd of 5,507 packed Turner’s Cross on Friday night to watch Cork City get their hands on the First Division trophy.

After securing the title against Wexford two weeks ago, City rounded off their campaign with a victory over Bray thanks to goals from Barry Coffey and Ruairí Keating before being presented the league trophy.

The game brought an end to City’s two-year stint in the First Division, with excitement already building for next season’s campaign back in Ireland’s top tier.

It was particularly special for veteran goalkeeper Mark McNulty as he made his last appearance in professional football. The 42-year-old in his 375th league game and his 482nd in total, received a standing ovation from all of those in attendance when he was replaced in the 25th minute, ending his 22-year playing career for City.

City’s title win was made sweeter by the fact that they began the season as third favourites for the league behind high-spending Galway United and Waterford. Many neturals had not predicted the Rebel Army finishing top of the table before a ball was kicked, but that was not the expectations of the City players, who believed they were the team to beat. This youthful City team have shown great maturity to navigate their way to the title, providing a lot of doubters wrong in doing so.