Nice footballer on a poor team

lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 29/09/2015 21:25:34    1793957

One of our best ball winners and a superb spatial awareness and balance. Will be sorely missed next year and beyond.

Jimin10 (Meath) - Posts: 783 - 29/09/2015 21:27:51    1793959

The last Meath player I believe to win an All Star. He scored a couple of points against the Wee County in the Leinster Final in 2010. A very fine footballer indeed.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 29/09/2015 21:42:53    1793974

Fine player alright Ollie. Think over past couple of years the system Meath played didn't suit his ability. But will be sorely missed

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/09/2015 21:49:29    1793981

RD
Of course the scores have dried up a little,but his movement and ball winning abilities will be missed,very intelligent footballer and hard worker even now..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 30/09/2015 18:25:37    1794401

Kildare & Meath have met a lot over the last number of years. Certain posters here consistently harped on about Meath's allegedly 'more natural forwards' but Bray was the only one I ever really worried about. A really good player.

KildareKelly (Kildare) - Posts: 593 - 30/09/2015 20:17:07    1794434

Enjoy your intercounty retirement Stephen. In my opinion, a player of high quality, who owes Meath football nothing.

However, I'm a little confused. I go to most if not all Meath matches, challenge, O'Byrne Cup, whatever, and over the last number of years in particular, I've been disappointed and on some occasions disgusted with comments from my own county Gaels, regarding Stephen Bray's play and ability. I have argued/defended (again in my opinion) his undoubted ability and skill, in person, but to no avail. This has also unfolded on these social media pages. So now I see all these lovely comments form some of the same people, which leads me to my confusion, of why the sudden change of opinion?

David (Meath) - Posts: 567 - 30/09/2015 21:02:17    1794459

Definitely I would say one of those few players who will still be remembered from the barren years post-2001 along with Seamus Kenny, Cian Ward, Anthony Moyles, Daithi Reagan and I suppose we'll never forget Joe Sheridan either.

Its hard to rate him against players from the 80's or 90's as we never know how they would have faired individually on the current Meath panel. He had a good nose for the goal and usually made the right decision when in possession. He could win ball and get separation from his marker quite well.

That said he was far from unmarkable and was never going to carry the physical presence to win every contest for the ball. There were some games where he would have a bright spell but fade away after, much like the rest of the team I suppose.

He will be missed for sure and I would have loved to have seen him continue on a bit longer but he owes us nothing and we have to thank him for all the hard graft and fond memories.

LoyalRoyal (None) - Posts: 452 - 30/09/2015 21:39:26    1794486

Always thought he was an excellent player, could kick points of both feet and had a great turn of pace. He wouldn't have looked out of place on any of the top teams. It is a real pity he played for Meath during a barren period for the county.

JimTheLegend (Donegal) - Posts: 247 - 30/09/2015 21:56:11    1794493

Excellent servant to Meath football over the years, best of luck in the retirement.

ShortGrass_1 (Kildare) - Posts: 223 - 02/10/2015 13:07:05    1795151

county football lives and breaths by the S Brays of the world , old fashioned lad that's maligned as a result of born in the wrong era , I can think of many a Dub in a similar position that were they to have played for a successful Dublin team theyd be seen in a different light , Bray playing with the 80s Meath team awesome

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 02/10/2015 13:40:40    1795174

A very underrated player who was always good for a few scores a game

Gael85 (Dublin) - Posts: 1433 - 02/10/2015 13:53:08    1795179