Bray Wanderers – Dundalk Preview: Kenny calls on supporters for visit to Seagulls

By Daire Walsh

Stephen Kenny has urged Lilywhites supporters to come in their numbers to Wicklow as they look to re-assert their hold on the top of the table

Following their surprise 1-0 defeat to Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park last Friday, league leaders Dundalk will be aiming to return to winning ways at the Carlisle Grounds, where they face 10th-place Bray Wanderers in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

With Cork City also slipping up against Sligo Rovers on Monday, Dundalk can re-affirm their status as the team to beat in this season’s top-flight.

Despite having no suspensions to worry about for this game, Dundalk will continue to plan without the services of defender Brian Gartland (who is still recovering from a fractured wrist), while Ronan Finn and Patrick McEleney will both miss out with groin injuries.

Dundalk are expected to have a vocal support for their Uefa Champions League play-off first leg against Legia Warsaw at the Aviva Stadium, but Lilywhites manager Stephen Kenny emphasised the importance of fans travelling to north Wicklow for Wednesday night’s game as well.

“It’s a very important game for us in Bray on Wednesday night. It’s going to be a difficult game for the team in the Carlisle Grounds,” Kenny told the official Dundalk website.

“We know that we are going to have a magnificent support in the Aviva Stadium next week for the Champions League play-off with Legia Warsaw, but it is in Bray that we need them this week.”

Due to Cork City’s involvement in Europe – they were initially meant to meet the Leesiders last Friday in Turner’s Cross – Bray have yet to play a competitive game in the month of August.

However, they are currently on a run of six games without defeat in the league, which includes potentially vital victories over Wexford Youths and Finn Harps last month.

They are currently two points clear of the former (who occupy the relegation play-off spot), and welcome Chris Lyons into the fold ahead of this game.

In the aftermath of his recent release from Sligo Rovers, the ex-UCD and Bohemians star was set to join Drogheda United in the First Division, but has instead returned for a second spell at the Carlisle Grounds.