League Preview: St Patrick's Ath -v- Bray Wanderers

• Tom Clancy
• Fri, Jun 27 2014




SAINT PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Having drawn Legia Warsaw in the UEFA Champions League, Liam Buckley must focus his group on League action for the next couple of weeks. They trail Dundalk by six points after a somewhat disappointing opening half to the season in comparison to 2013.


The Saints will be without two sinners, Ken Oman and Kenny Browne, who have both been suspended after receiving four and eight yellow cards respectably. Both Keith Fahey and Sean Hoare are doubts for Friday night’s game.

Having won each of their last five games against Bray, Buckley will be expecting his side to keep the pressure on pace-setters Dundalk. This game is the first of six the Inchicore side face in the next month, with trips to Tallaght, Drumcondra, Warsaw and Athlone coming thick and fast during that spell.
 

BRAY WANDERERS

The big news from the mid-season break was the retirement of Club Captain Danny O’Connor; the defender has sighted a string of injuries for his decision having played 126 times across two spells with the Wicklow club. Manager Alan Matthews told BrayWanderers.ie -


“We will miss a player with the calibre of Danny. His commitment for the club was never in doubt but unfortunately he has had to call it a day. I wish him well for the future.”

Young ‘keeper Shane Redmond serves a suspension while Adam Mitchell (groin), Eric McGill (knee) and Dave Scully (ankle) are all set to undergo late fitness tests ahead of the trip to the Champions.

The mid-season break came at a good time for the men in green and white. A run of five games had seen them fail to score, get knocked out of the Cup and take just one point from a possible 12. The early season form hasn’t continued but Matthews will know what his side a capable of, having defeated top-half sides Limerick, Sligo Rovers and League leaders Dundalk already this season.
 

Referee: Anthony Buttimer

 

 

MATCH STATS

Ten of Christy Fagan’s 13 goals have come at Richmond Park, while he also netted at the Carlisle Grounds.

Bray have scored just one goal in their last eight games (7 League, 1 FAI Cup)

 

 

BETTING

St Pats 2/9, Draw 9/2, Bray Wanderers 14/1

 

PREDICTION

St. Pats 2-0 Bray Wanderers

 

  

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Keith Fahey, Sean Hoare.
Suspended: Kenny Browne, Ken Oman.

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Adam Mitchell (groin), Eric McGill (knee), Dave Scully (ankle).
Suspended: None.
Retired: Danny O’Connor.