St. Patrick’s Athletic -v- Bray Wanderers

• Colman Hanley
• Thu, Jun 23 2011


Bray Wanderers travel to Richmond Park to face second placed St. Patrick’s Athletic in a bid to record their second victory over the Inchicore side this season, while the Saints will be hoping to claim victory and be sitting top of the table by the end of the night (kick-off 7:45pm).

The Seagulls 3-2 victory over the Saints back in March, a dramatic comeback from a two goal deficit, is the Inchicore side’s only home defeat this season in all competitions. Bray manager Pat Devlin is therefore looking for a repeat result and hopes that a win against the league’s in form side will restore his side’s confidence following their 2-1 defeat to Bohemians last Monday.

"Isn't it a great game to have on Friday to follow that and it gives us a fantastic opportunity to bounce straight back," Devlin said. "We made a couple of mistakes on Monday night and got punished for them. We also failed to take our chances, it was one of those games we haven't had so far this season".

Bray, who have only been beaten once away from home this season, are also boosted by the news that Dave Webster has returned to training and is in the squad to face the Saints.

For Pete Mahon’s men, the clash with Bray is their final domestic fixture before their first leg Europa League qualifying round tie against IBV Vestmannaeyjar. However the Saints boss insists that his side will be concentrating on extending their 13 match unbeaten league run against Bray, and not on their Europa League opponents from Iceland.

“This is a massive, massive game for us and though others are focusing on the European games and future league games we’re focusing solely on this game,” Mahon said. “We’ve been bogged down with a lot of fixtures recently, it has been hectic and it will be hectic for the next while but all we can focus on is the three points tomorrow night. Europe will look after itself but the league games are definitely our priority.”

The Saints hopes of victory are boosted by the returns of Ian Bermingham from suspension and Derek Pender from injury, while Neil Harney has recovered from a head injury suffered in their midweek victory to Galway United. Elsewhere, club captain Conor Kenna is two weeks away from returning from his long term knee problem.

St. Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Conor Kenna (knee).
Doubtful: Dave Mulcahy (knee).
Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers
Injured: Darren Quigley (elbow), Gary Shaw (ankle), Stephen Brennan (calf), Jake Kelly (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: Neil Doyle.
Paddy Power Odds: Saint Patrick’s Athletic 1/2, Draw 14/5, Bray Wanderers 11/2.
Extratime prediction: Saints to edge it before their European adventure begins, 2-1.