Bray Wanderers 3 - 1 Kerry FC - PREVIEW | 2023 League of Ireland First Division | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football

- Carlisle Grounds
Referee:

League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Kerry

Andrew Dempsey
Fri, Feb 24 2023

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers welcome League of Ireland new-boys Kerry to the Carlisle Grounds for their first league game of the season on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Seagulls claimed an opening night win under new head coach Ian Ryan with youngster Ben Feeney netting at the Market’s Field.

But they face a relatively unknown League of Ireland squad in Kerry this week, and Ryan is expecting a stiff test against Billy Dennehy’s Kingdom.

“We respect the opposition,” he explained when speaking to his club’s media team. “We welcome Kerry. It’s great to have them in the League.

“But they are in our way this week. And we need to do our business. We did well last week, but we can be better. Hopefully, we will be.

“It’s a new era for us. We want to make Bray a difficult place to come. For the home fans, hopefully it will be an exciting year for us.

“We want to do well. We will work hard for our guarantee. But it’s important we start well and build on last week’s result.”

Bray Wanderers will be without Dave Webster and Darren Craven through injury on Friday night.

KERRY

After suffering an opening day loss at home to Cobh Ramblers, Kerry return to action on Friday night with a long trip east to play Bray Wanderers.

The magic of Jack Doherty saw Ramblers claim a win on the road, but there were some positives for the Kingdom during their League of Ireland bow.

Defender Kevin Williams impressed, while they could have scored was it not for a penalty shout being denied and an effort being cleared off the line.

And boss Dennehy is hoping that his side can right the wrongs of their opening night defeat when they play at the Carlisle Grounds for the first time.

He said: “They are a great group with a fantastic spirit, how they train and work for each other.

“They often train together outside of our training times. Considering most of the lads played together for the first time Friday night, there were a lot of positive signs there.

“In training this week they have pushed each other to improve and put in another good performance against Bray on Friday.”

Kerry may be without Junior Ankomah and Cianan Cooney this week, while Stephen McCarthy is likely to return after his recent injury. But Mark Carey is now a long-term injury absentee.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.

MATCH STATS

This will be the first ever competitive senior meeting between the sides, with Bray Wanderers looking to maintain their winning start to the season.

The Seagulls claimed a dramatic late win away to Treaty United last time out, with Ben Feeney’s late strike the difference.

But for Kerry, they will be hoping they can get their first points on the board of their League of Ireland tenure after losing their first game at home to Cobh Ramblers.

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 3 - 0 Kerry

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Dave Webster, Darren Craven.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Kerry

Injured: Mark Carey.

Doubtful: Cianan Cooney, Junior Ankomah.

Suspended: None.