Bray Wanderers -v- Limerick

• Andrew Cunneen
• Fri, Aug 26 2011


Bray Wanderers welcome Limerick FC to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday evening for the last sixteen of the FAI Cup in a game which may prove far more even than the neutral may expect. (Kickoff 7.45pm)

Following the Wanderers great escape last season, Pat Devlin has indeed steadied the Bray ship this season, with a little help from the demise of Galway United and the problems of Drogheda. However, credit is due to the man in charge as he has picked up quite a few impressive results including wins against St. Pats and Shamrock Rovers aswell as a fantastic display in the Brandywell earning them a well deserved point.

In their last league game, Bray recorded a 2-2 draw with Dundalk thanks to goals from Danny O’Connor and Dean Zambra. Bray’s last home game produced a 4-0 demolition of Galway United with Jake Kelly, Danny O’Connor, Shane O’Neill and Derek Prendergast all finding the net, proving that Devlin’s men have no problem scoring.

Limerick have had their ups and downs so far this season. While maintaining a promotion push throughout, the Blues should really be doing far better than they are at the moment. With the addition of Joe Gamble and Denis Behan, aswell as attacking full-back Shaun Kelly and energetic forward Rory Gaffney, Pat Scully could still only manage a 1-1 draw with Salthill Devon in their previous encounter. The pressure is certainly on the ex-Shamrock Rovers and Kilkenny boss.

Limerick and Bray have met already this season, in a pre-season friendly. The result was a comprehensive win for Lims, although a tougher test is certainly expected this time around for the Shannonsiders.

Pat Scully is under no illusions as to how tough of a test Friday will be. He said: "We were very sloppy last week v Salthill, we should have won 5-0 with the chances we created. When you step up a level to a Premier team like Bray you have to take any chances you get and any errors will be punished. Bray are a decent team and it will be good to see if we learn our lesson."

A mutual respect is evident, as Bray Wanderers manager Pat Devlin also is taking nothing for granted. He said: "It will be a tough game, we know a lot about Limerick, we have seen them in action and we know a lot about their personnel. But we also know that it will be a tough game".

Bray Wanderers:
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Limerick FC:
Injured: Dave Ryan, Garry Sheahan, Stephen O’Flynn, James O’Brien, Brian O’Callaghan, Shaun Maher, Shane Tracy, John Frost.
Doubtful: None.
Cup Tied: Rory Gaffney, Shaun Kelly.
Suspended: Brian McCarthy.

Referee: Rob Rogers.
Paddy Power Odds: Bray (Evs) Draw (9/4) Limerick (13/5)
Extratime prediction: A 2-2 draw.