Devlin enjoys rub of the green

In a season that is proving to be as wide open as any in recent memory, Bray Wanderers did their bit in the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening, as a Conor Murphy brace helped them to a 2-1 victory over Martin Russell's UCD.

This victory meant that Bray now find themselves in fifth place in the table, just four points off league leaders Shamrock Rovers, which puts them right back in the mix after a run of four games without a win that yielded just two points from a possible 12.

In a game that ebbed and flowed from start to finish, Bray Director Of Football Pat Devlin was extremely pleased with the way that they won in the end, especially in the context of their second-half performance after an indifferent opening period from his side.

“We started very well, we decided to go 4-4-2. When we scored we decided to go back a little bit. I thought UCD were superb, they totally dominated the game after that. It was a definite penalty, it was a stupid thing for Gary (Dempsey) to do. I don't mean stupid, but there was no need for it, and it was a penalty. We got very erratic then, we were second place. We went in and sorted it out at half-time,” Devlin stated.

“I thought they were terrific in the second half, the chances we created. But we haven't been getting that little bit of luck, especially in the last three or four games, but I thought we deserved it. So, I was thrilled we got the win tonight. I thought we deserved it on the second half performance”.

However, though the former Ireland B coach did once again state his pleasure that his side finally got the rub of the green on Friday, he also added that so many games in a short period of time has taken its toll on his squad and, as a result, they are currently down a few bodies.

“When it's not going your way it's difficult. I mean, apart from the Dundalk game, the Bohs game, and Sligo during the week, we've been a little bit unfortunate. But we're back, we've got three points. We've been struggling with injury. Players are tired, it has been taking its toll big time”.

“When we started this Civic programme, we had a fully fit squad. Now I think I'm down five or six players, and that's hard to try and replace. Now Conor (Murphy) is going away with the Under-19s, so we're going to miss him as well. It's quite difficult with a small group of players, trying to replace them like that”.

On the subject of Murphy's imminent departure with the Ireland Under-19 squad, Devlin is obviously disappointed that they will be without the teenager for a while, though at the same time he is more than happy to allow players to go off and represent their country, which he feels hasn't always been the case with other clubs in the past.

“Well, I've always believed a player should play for his country. I know other managers over the year wouldn't even tolerate it, but I think at the end of the day that's just the way it is. That's why players would come to a team like Bray, one we give them a chance, and two internationally if opportunities come up they get them. Whereas in other clubs they may not do so, but we encourage them to go and play,” said Devlin.