First Division Preview: Ruairi Keating and Seani Maguire to attract bumper crowd as top two Cork City and Athlone Town meet

Ruairi Keating & Seani Maguire (right)

Ruairi Keating & Seani Maguire (right) Credit: Conor Ryan & Michael P Ryan (right)

The return of strikers Ruairi Keating and Seani Maguire to Turner’s Cross headline Cork City’s clash with second-placed First Division foes Athlone Town on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm). 

Table-topping City unveiled the signing of Keating last week and the former Galway United attacker made his second debut for the club in their 1-1 draw away to Treaty United. 

But the return of Ireland international Maguire is a tantalising prospect with the two set to start against Athlone Town in front of a bumper crowd.

Tim Clancy’s side are already 15 points clear of Athlone Town and are on course to claim over 90 points in the First Division this season. 

Galway United – last season’s First Division winners – claimed 94 points en route to their success. 

But City are unlikely to have it all their own way against Athlone who are in good form themselves. 

Dario Castelo’s side have won four of their last five league games and are comfortably sitting in the play-off places. Goalkeeper Enda Minogue, however, is set to remain out through injury.

Referee:Alan Patchell. 

PREDICTION: Cork City 2 – 1 Athlone Town

Bray Wanderers v UCD, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm



Bray Wanderers will be looking to continue their impressive run of form with a home win against N11 rivals UCD.

The Seagulls are just three points behind the Students having won their last two games in a row against Wexford (3-1) and Finn Harps (2-1).

And they have also bolstered their ranks with the recent signing of Shamrock Rovers loanee John O’Sullivan on deal until the end of the season.

But they face a UCD side who are third in the table and have already beaten Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds. 

The Students however are in patchy form and drew 1-1 at home to Wexford last weekend – winning just once in their last six league outings with four draws, one win and one defeat.

Matthew Alonge is expected to remain sidelined for the Sky Blues.



Referee:Marc Lynch.

PREDICTION:Bray Wanderers 1 – 1 UCD 

Wexford v Finn Harps, Ferrycarrig Park, 7.45pm

Wexford will be bidding to stay in touch with the play-off positions when they host Finn Harps at Ferrycarrig Park.

The Slaneysiders have won just once in their last three league games and are three points behind Harps who occupy the final play-off spot.

James Keddy’s side, however, have a game in hand but that is against Athlone Town. 

But they will take solace that the Co Donegal side have lost their last three league games in a row and have not won since defeating Kerry 1-0 at home on July 4th. 

Harps have already defeated Wexford twice this season – home and away. In fact, Wexford have only beaten Harps once in their last six meetings. 

Darren Murphy’s side are expected to be without long-term injury absentee Darragh Coyle. Wexford have not issued any team news at time of publication. 

Referee:Oliver Moran.

PREDICTION:Wexford 1 – 0 Finn Harps

Kerry v Cobh Ramblers, Mounthawk Park, 7.45pm

Kerry will chasing their first league win in almost two months when they face Munster rivals Cobh Ramblers at Mounthawk Park. 

The Kingdom have not won a league game since June 13 when they dismissed Longford Town 2-1 at home.

But they came mightily close to winning away to Athlone Town last weekend when they drew 3-3.

And they should have taken all three points having led 3-1 heading into the closing stages of the game but were undone late on.

Conor McCarthy is set to remain without the services of Valerii Dolia who has missed the majority of the season through injury.

But Kerry face a Cobh Ramblers side who are just two points outside the play-off places and won 1-0 at home to Longford Town last weekend.

Striker Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh is set to remain out for Gary Hunt’s side.

Referee: Ian O’Keefe.

PREDICTION:Kerry 2 – 0 Cobh Ramblers

Saturday: Longford Town v Treaty United, Bishopsgate, 7.30pm

Basement side Longford Town will be eyeing up a scalp against Treaty United at Bishopsgate on Saturday evening.

The Red and Black have endured a wretched campaign this season but will be confident having already defeated Treaty earlier this season at home, winning 2-1 last May.

Wayne Groves’ side however remain rooted to the foot of the table and will be desperate to avoid the wooden spoon in the First Division.

But they face a Treaty United side who claimed a spirited draw against Cork City last weekend. 

And their boss Tommy Barrett told extratime.com last weekend: "It’ll be a tough game but we know that we have to be at our best to win.

“We’re disappointed with tonight but well come back next week and lift the spirits and kick on. 

"We know that we need to bring that high energy like we did tonight into every game and if we do that we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”

Referee: Adriano Reale.

PREDICTION:Longford Town 0 – 1 Treaty United

 

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