League Preview: Kerry -v- Bray Wanderers
- Andrew Dempsey
- Thu, Feb 22 2024
KERRY
Kerry return to league action at Mounthawk Park for the first time since October when they host Bray Wanderers on Friday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).
The Kingdom fell to a 2-0 defeat against Munster rivals Cork City on the opening night of the campaign.
They are also searching for their first league win at home since joining the senior League of Ireland ranks last season.
But they will be confident they can take a scalp against the Seagulls - with their off-season recruitment drive yielding some positivity.
“If you take the foot off the pedal in this league you can get hurt very quickly,” boss Conor McCarthy said this week.
“So it’s important going into this game against Bray that we are on it for 90 to 95 minutes, whatever minutes go up on the board and hopefully we can get a result.”
Kerry are likely to be without Jack Kavanagh who is a doubt with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Valerii Dolia is definitely out with an ankle injury.
BRAY WANDERERS
After losing to 10-man UCD on the opening night of the season, Bray Wanderers make the long trip to the South-West to face Kerry.
Ian Ryan’s men failed to catch fire in front of their fans last weekend and will be keen to register a response.
But they will be aware of Kerry’s threats in 2024, despite defeating them soundly on four occasions last season.
“It’s very early in the year,” Wanderers Head Coach Ryan told his club’s media team this week.
“By all accounts, Kerry put in a really good performance last week.
“They’ve really strengthened their squad this year. They are a year into their journey now, so they'll be even more difficult to come up against.
“We know what to expect. But we’ll look to improve our own performance.”
Striker Cristian Magerusan is a doubt with a hamstring injury while Peter Grogan is out.
Referee: Mark Moynihan.
PREDICTION
Kerry 1-2 Bray Wanderers
Kerry
Injured: Jack Kavanagh, Valerii Dolia.
Doubtful:None.
Suspended: None.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: Peter Grogan.
Doubtful:Cristian Magerusan.
Suspended: None.
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