League Preview: Dundalk -v- Bray Wanderers

The league champions Dundalk will be crowned anew in Oriel Park in the final weekend of league fixtures.

DUNDALK FC

Unlike last season’s title clincher, the winners of the league won’t be decided over a nervy 90 minutes in Oriel Park. Dundalk secured the league with quite some wriggle room this time round. In what Stephen Kenny has called a ‘special night’, history will be made in Louth as Dundalk collect the league trophy in back to back seasons for the first time in their existence.

Kenny spoke to his club’s media ahead of the game and was full of praise for his team. With a cup final date next on the agenda he was also keen to finish the league campaign with a win even if it doesn’t change the balance of power:

“It has been a great season. The players have been outstanding all season and have got their rewards with the league title. They have given everything every week and I am delighted for them.

“To win the title two years in a row and for it to be the first time in the club’s history is fantastic and to lift the trophy for the second straight year at Oriel Park is brilliant and it promises to be a very special night for all involved at the club and the supporters. Hopefully we can finish the season on a high with a win”

The Lilywhite’s last league outing was a highly entertaining 2-2 draw with Cork City. A searing start from the champions had them two nothing up before the half hour mark through goals from David McMillian and Richie Towell. Cork fought back and were on level terms before the half time break thanks to Karl Shepard and Mark O’Sullivan. The game finished that way and makes the looming FAI Cup Final all the more salivating.

Sandwiched between the Cork trip and today’s match against Bray, was a Leinster Senior Cup Final against Shamrock Rovers. Two youth-laden teams vied for the silverware on the Oriel Park pitch but the home side ran out convincing 3-1 winners in the end. The result means that should Dundalk win the FAI Cup, they will have lifted three trophies in their final three competitive matches of the season – quite the accolade.

Defender Andy Boyle is taking nothing for granted ahead of the fixture but is looking forward to the inevitable awarding of the league trophy and ensuing lap of honour.

“We want to finish the season with a win against Bray Wanderers. They’ve had some great results in the past few weeks so it will be a difficult game but we want to get a final three points and finish the season with a bang so we’re looking to win and can’t wait to get the trophy.”

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray manager, Mick Cooke, will have the same squad available as that which drew with Galway United. There are no injury concerns being reported out of the Bray camp at the moment.

After the first trimester of games, the Seagulls looked to be in freefall, an 8-1 thumping at the hands of Dundalk being a particularly low point for Bray fans. The ascent was curbed and they would go on to win seven of their next ten competitive matches before they met Dundalk again. On the second time of asking and with home advantage, a much more competitive and spirited Bray performance was only undone by a late goal from debutant Ciaran Kilduff.

In the final third of the season, the Seagulls’ flight has dipped slightly but they’ve scrapped for survival. Some big points taken off Cork and Shamrock Rovers secured their own safety and in no small part assisted Dundalk to win the league.

Last season, Bray saved themselves with a point against Dundalk in the penultimate match of the season (while throwing a real spanner in the Lilywhite’s title aspirations). This season, the Seasiders secured premier league status with two games to spare thanks as they drew with Shamrock Rovers and results elsewhere assisted them. Their penultimate game was a 1-1 draw with Galway last week.

There’s a question mark over how competitive this game will be with Dundalk having the league sown up and Bray rejoicing from a season long slog to survive. Regardless of the result there will be jubilation amongst the home fans when their team hoists aloft the SSE Airtricity League trophy at Oriel, again.

Kick-off is at 7:45PM.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

There should be goals if the stats are anything to go by; Dundalk have scored 18 goals in their last 5 league meetings with Bray and there hasn’t been a goalless draw between the sides since April 2011

Remarkably, Dundalk have now scored 107 goals this campaign. That equals last season’s tally with two games left to play and less games played overall

Dundalk have only lost one home game this season, that defeat coming at the hands of Bohemians.

Dundalk have 5 former Bray Wanderers players in their squad – Gary Rogers, Gabriel Sava, Brian Gartland, Chris Shields and Dane Massey.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/4; Draw 9/2; Bray 11/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk FC 3 – 1 Bray Wanderers.

Dundalk FC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.