Bray Wanderers Match Preview
League of Ireland First Division
Kerry FC
Friday September 1, Mounthawk Park
Kick-off 7.45pm
Bray make only their second ever visit to Mounthawk Park on Friday to take on Kerry FC.
Head Coach Ian Ryan knows the importance of the fixture as the play-off chase intensifies ahead of the six-hour round trip that consists of 620 kilometres.
“It’s the most important game of the year – because it’s our next game. We know at this stage of the season that we need points; and we need to win games. We know the importance of the game. We’ve trained well this week. But it’s about performing on the Friday night,” he said.
Having beaten the team from the Kingdom three times so far in 2023. Ryan is not underestimating the challenge they pose.
“Kerry have done extremely well of late. In their last few homes games, they were narrowly beaten by Drogheda in the Cup. And drew with Cobh – who had to come back late in that game. So, there’s big improvements in Kerry. We by no shape underestimate them.”
He went on to stress “this week is about us and how we perform. And the result more importantly.”
TEAM NEWS
Striker Yoyo Mahdy could feature after injury, having returned to training this week.
On-loan goalkeeper Matt Connor is available after missing last week’s tie with his parent club Waterford.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN 2023
With Kerry only joining the League of Ireland this season, these are the first fixtures between the clubs.
So far, Bray have won all three contests – 3-1 at the Carlisle Grounds back in February. Then 2-0 at Mounthawk Park in May. While back at the Carlisle in June, Wanderers secured a 3-2 victory.
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