League Preview: Cork City -v- Bray Wanderers

CORK CITY

The current First Division leaders look to continue their good start as they welcome Bray Wanderers to Turners Cross on Friday.

Their latest win came up in Longford last Saturday continued their unbeaten run as they seek a quick return to the topflight.    

Goals in the second half from Evan McLaughlin and Jack Doherty secured the three points. It also put Doherty at the top of the scoring charts.    

Tim Clancy is aware of the challenge they face: “They are really good. I’ve seen them plenty in pre-season,” he said speaking to the media ahead of the game on Friday.

“They are a really good footballing team and I know Ian Ryan will have them well prepared. They are very aggressive with a high press, so we know it’s going to be a tough game. We are confident that if we play to the best of our abilities that we can get the win.”

Barry Coffey will be missing due to his red card against UCD.

BRAY WANDERERS

It has been a mixed bag of results for the visitors who travel in the hope of building on recent form.

Last weekend’s draw away to Treaty saw them lose, win, and draw their opening three games. The game in limerick did show a sense of reliance though.

Goals in the last twenty minutes saw them gain an important point. They also came from two down to win in Kerry before that.

Ian Ryan is pleased with the character shown but knows they must start better: “We’ve seen the players character in abundance. It’s great to have. But we’d like to not have to put ourselves in that position anymore,” he said, speaking to the club’s media team.

“We want to show a bit of character and desire from the first whistle. I think that’s what is missing at the moment; the capacity to do it for 90 minutes”.

Darren Craven is due to miss the next few weeks after coming off injured against Treaty. Ben Feeney is also set to miss out on the trip to Cork.

Referee: Mark Houlihan.

MATCH STATS

Bray did not fare too well when the sides came up against each other back in 2022. A 2-0 win at Turners Cross put the seal on the title winning season. The Wicklow club only managed one draw out of the four games and conceded 11 goals.   

BETTING

Cork City 8/11; Draw 13/5; Bray Wanderers 3/1.

PREDICTION

Cork City 3-0 Bray Wanderers

Cork City

Injured: Matthew Kiernan, Conor Drinan.

Doubtful: Malik Dijksteel, Darragh Crowley, Cian Bargary, Cian Murphy.

Suspended: Barry Coffey.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Darren Craven, Ben Feeney.

Doubtful: Cristian Magerusan.

Suspended: None.