First Division Preview: Runaway leaders Cork City visit Wexford as play-off foes UCD and Athlone Town meet

June 3rd, 2024, Harry Nevin of Cork City FC during the League of Ireland First Division: Cork City vs UCD played at Turners Cross, Cork, Ireland.

June 3rd, 2024, Harry Nevin of Cork City FC during the League of Ireland First Division: Cork City vs UCD played at Turners Cross, Cork, Ireland. Credit: David Ribeiro (ETPhotos)

Runaway league leaders Cork City visit Wexford as they bid to extend their 13-point lead at the summit of the First Division. 

The Leesiders have lost just once this season and are comfortably clear of closest challengers UCD. 

Tim Clancy’s side, however, have yet to defeat Wexford this season having drawn twice to James Keddy’s men already. 

But they come into Thursday’s showdown in the South-East after winning their last three games on the spin against Bray Wanderers (1-0), Cobh Ramblers (4-1) and Bray Wanderers (1-0). 

City are expected to have a fully-fit squad for their trip to Wexford.

Meanwhile, Wexford will be hopeful that defender Lewis Temple can feature after the Bray native joined the club from Shelbourne on loan for the rest of the season.

Referee: Lucas Keating. 

PREDICTION: Wexford 1-2 Cork City 

UCD v Athlone Town, UCD Bowl - 7.45pm



Second meets third in the First Division on Thursday evening as UCD host promotion play-off rivals Athlone Town. 

The Students are second and sit two points clear of Athlone despite winning just twice since their 2-1 loss at home to Cobh Ramblers on May 6.

Remarkably, the Students are unbeaten since then but have drawn six of their previous eight league outings. 

And their most recent league game saw them pick up a point away to Cobh Ramblers last weekend in a thrilling 2-2 draw.

They will be without suspended defender Harry Curtis for Thursday’s tie against Athlone.

Meanwhile, Athlone will likely see goalkeeper Jack Harrington named in their squad following his move to the club from Longford Town. 

The Co Westmeath men defeated Treaty United 1-0 last weekend at home and will be be hoping that they can repeat the trick against the Students.

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd. 

PREDICTION: UCD 2-1 Athlone Town

Bray Wanderers v Longford Town, Carlisle Grounds - 7.45pm

Struggling Longford Town will be hoping to kickstart their season when they visit the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray Wanderers. 

The Red and Black are winless in seven ahead and confirmed a host of player departures earlier this week following the reopening of the transfer window. 

Striker Chris Lyons left the club after he retired from the professional ranks citing a knee injury. 

Goalkeeper Jack Harrington has also departed to move to local rivals Athlone Town, with Samuel Clarke exiting. 

Dean George, Jamie Egan, Oisin Hand, Shane Elworthy, Luke Wade-Slater and Adam Wixted are also expected to miss out via injury.

Meanwhile, Bray Wanderers are set to remain with first-team coaches Lorcan Fitzgerald and Paul Heffernan in the dugout.

They are yet to appoint a successor to former boss Ian Ryan after the ex-Wexford boss left the club in May.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran, striker Ben Feeney as well as defenders Cole Omorehiomwan, Evan Osam and Jamie Duggan are sidelined with injury.

Referee: Jason Moore.

PREDICTION: Bray Wanderers 1-1 Longford Town

Treaty United v Cobh Ramblers, Markets Field - 7.45pm

Treaty United are likely to be able to call upon the services of new signing Lee J Lynch for their Munster derby showdown against Cobh Ramblers at the Markets Field.

Lynch was previously on the books of Limerick FC and joins the Shannonsiders following a recent stint in the Northern Irish top-flight with Coleraine.

And he admits that he is hoping to push on Treaty between now and the end of the season as Tommy Barrett’s side look to recover from last week’s 1-0 loss away to Athlone Town.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Treaty United,” he said. “The transfer comes at a time in my career when it makes perfect sense to return to my home town and to the League of Ireland.

“I’ve obviously, through family connections in the club and getting to some games, seen what Treaty United is all about.”

In other team news, defender Robbie Lynch and striker Enda Curran return from suspension for Treaty. Darren Nwankwo, Colin Conroy and David Tarmey are expected to miss out.

For Cobh, Cian Browne, Charlie O’Brien, James O’Leary and Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh have missed out in recent weeks through injury and remain doubts. 

Ramblers come into the clash with just one win in four but picked up a point against UCD last weekend in a 2-2 draw.

Referee: Ryan Maher. 

PREDICTION: Treaty United 1-1 Cobh Ramblers 

Finn Harps v Kerry, Finn Park - 7.45pm

Kerry assistant boss James Sugrue reckons the Kingdom have a ‘good chance’ of when they take on Finn Harps. 

Sugrue’s side picked up a point last week against Wexford despite playing the closing stages of the game with ten-men while trailing 1-1. 

Ryan Kelliher’s late leveller salvaged a point for them and Sugrue said: “It’s always going to be toughup there but we are going up there to get three points. 

“If we can pick up where we left off from on Friday night and go there with that confidence and belief, I think we have a good chance.”

Defender Kevin Williams is suspended after receiving a red card against Wexford last weekend. Goalkeeper Antonio Tuta returns after a family wedding last week while Valerii Dolia is out with an ankle injury.

Harps, who drew 1-1 against Longford Town last weekend, have not issued team news but have confirmed the signing of striker Sean Patton on loan from Derry City for the rest of the season.

Teenage midfielder Gavin McAteer has also penned his first contract with the club this week.  

Referee: Glen Geraghty. 

PREDICTION: Finn Harps 2-0 Kerry.

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