League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Kerry

BRAY WANDERERS 

Bray Wanderers will be looking to stretch their winning streak to four games on Friday night when they host Kerry at the Carlisle Grounds (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

The Seagulls have defeated Athlone Town, Longford Town and Treaty United in recent weeks and have subsequently risen to fourth in the table.

But their home clash against Kerry will be a different test according to first-team coach Paul Heffernan.

“I’m expecting a very tough challenge,” Heffernan said last week. “They have won plenty of games and have picked up plenty of points this season. 

“They are picking up points and climbing up the table. 

“We know that we will have to be on the top of our game to pick up anything.”

Ben Feeney and Jimmy Corcoran remain out for the Wanderers. Cole Omorehiomwan is also a doubt.

KERRY 

Kerry have confirmed that attacking midfielder Valerii Dolia is nearing a return following a long-term ankle injury. 

The former Athlone Town attacker has not kicked a ball for the Kingdom competitively this season but is just weeks away from a return. 

And that will come as a boost to boss Conor McCarthy who is hoping his can take a scalp against Bray on Friday night. 

“Bray are a very good side,” he said. “They came down to Mounthawk Park earlier this season and you can see their quality, with a lot of good players. 

“The Carlisle Grounds has always been a hard place to go and we are expecting nothing less on Friday. Thompson, Magerusan, they have a lot of attacking threat. 

“Shane Griffin and Harry Groome are very strong in the middle, fellas who are well-able to keep the ball and create opportunities for the players ahead of them. 

“They have a lot of quality as I’ve said before, Bray for me at the start of the year were a team that could challenge Cork at the top, you can see now they are starting to get a couple of wins but hopefully, we can stop that on Friday night.”

Daniel Okwute is suspended for the fixture.

Referee: Robert Dowling. 

PREDICTION 

Bray Wanderers 2-0 Kerry 

Bray Wanderers 

Injured: Jimmy Corcoran, Ben Feeney. 

Doubtful: Cole Omorehiomwan. 

Suspended: None. 

Kerry

Injured: Valerii Dolia. 

Doubtful: None. 

Suspended: Daniel Okwute.