League Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Kerry

• Andrew Dempsey
• Fri, Jun 23 2023




BRAY WANDERERS

Play-off chasing Bray Wanderers welcome Kerry to the Carlisle Grounds on Friday night as they look to get the second half of their campaign up and running on the front foot (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Seagulls sit fifth in the First Division but have lost their last two games on the spin.

However, those defeats came against Athlone Town and Waterford away from home – and head coach Ian Ryan will be hoping that his side can see off the Kingdom to return to winning ways

“I think they have improved an awful lot since the start of the year,” Bray boss Ian Ryan said.

“We played them a few weeks ago and had a difficult game. They put it up to Athlone just before the break as well so they are capable of causing problems.

“They have some very good individual players so we will have to be on our guard and perform.

“It is the start of the second half of the year and we will be looking to progress.”

Eoin Farrell is the Seagulls’ sole absentee.

KERRY

Strugglers Kerry visit the Carlisle Grounds hoping to build on their strong display before the mid-season break against Athlone Town.

While the Kingdom were beaten at Mounthawk Park, they still posed questions of Athlone – and Billy Dennehy’s men will be hoping they can use that as a platform to stun Bray.

“Bray are a very established club and they went down a route last season where they would have invested in the squad but it didn’t work out,” he said.

“They went down a new model this year with a new group and manager and they are fighting for a play-off place. They are fighting at the other end of the table compared to us.

“They will be looking at us as an opportunity to stay up there.”

Wayne Guthrie, Sean Kennedy, Shane Guthrie, Mark Carey, Junior Ankomah and Trip Vrljicak are all likely to miss out through injury.

Referee: Declan Toland.

 

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 3-0 Kerry

 

Bray Wanderers

Injured: Eoin Farrell.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Kerry

Injured: Wayne Guthrie, Sean Kennedy, Shane Guthrie, Mark Carey, Junior Ankomah, Trip Vrljicak.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.