FAI Cup Preview: St Patrick's Athletic -v- Bray Wanderers

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC

It’s all about the Cup at Inchicore on Friday evening when St Patrick’s Athletic host Bray Wanderers in the first round of the FAI Cup. Kick off at 7:45pm live on LOITV.

Pats’ who are behind Shamrock Rovers on goal difference at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, come into the tie following a comfortable 2-0 league victory over Drogheda United last Friday night. 

Goals from Chris Forrester and Robbie Benson ensured the Saints made it four from four at home since fans were permitted to return. 

Midfielder Jamie Lennon will return from suspension but Shane Griffin will be absent with a shoulder injury.

Stephen O’Donnell’s side haven’t climbed the steps of the Aviva to lift the trophy since 2014 when they ended a 53-year wait following a 2-0 victory over Derry City to claim their third FAI Cup win.

O’Donnell has been looking forward to the Cup tie with his club's media team.

“We have a little breather from the league now, we are very happy with our recent form, especially with the two good home wins, and two clean sheets in the last two weeks so we roll on into the FAI Cup.

“We were beaten in the first round of it last year against Finn Harps away, so we are treating this game as serious as any other league game.

“Bray are a good team, they've some very good individuals that can hurt you, so we are under no illusions that we are going to have to play well to get into the next round."

The Saints will be going full throttle to try and lift a fourth FAI Cup title:

“The end goal is to get to the final which is the biggest domestic day in our calendar. You get to play at The Aviva, which is huge occasion for both sets of fans and obviously to play on a surface like that in an arena like that is something that every player wants to do so that's the end goal.

“The only way you get there is by taking care of business in the early rounds and then you roll on into the latter stages so it's a great way to conclude the season looking forward to an FAI cup final and getting there.

“It's a great day out for players and staff and for their families etc, so that's the end goal and this is the first step towards it but if we take our eye off the ball, we won't be getting to that end goal because Bray are capable of doing damage."

BRAY WANDERERS

The First Division outfit travel to Richmond Park for the first meeting between the two sides since this stage of the competition in 2019. 

Dave Webster and Glen McAuley got on the scoresheet as the Saints came from behind to beat the Seagulls 2-1.

The Wicklow side have been in good form in the second tier this season. They currently occupy the final play-off spot in the First Division with 23 points from 16 games so far.

The Carlisle grounds side have lost just once since the resumption of the season, picking up two wins and three draws, including Friday’s 0-0 stalemate with promotion chasing Galway United.

The visitors have a host of former St Pat’s players in their ranks. Sam Verdon, Gary Shaw, Conor Clifford, Richie O’Farrell and Steven Kinsella will be returning to a familiar setting.

Referee: John McLoughlin

BETTING

St pats: 2/9 Draw: 9/2 Bray: 15/2

Prediction:

St Patrick's Athletic 2-1 Bray Wanderers

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Shane Griffin

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Uknown

Suspended: Unknown

Patrick Cregg: 'Academy football serves its purpose up to a certain age, but you're not learning much on the sidelines' https://t.co/oxpRJeN0pLpic.twitter.com/6CFt5JyFCd

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) July 22, 2021