2021 Season Preview: Bray Wanderers

Manager: Gary Cronin.

Stadium: Carlisle Grounds.

Players in: Richie O'Farrell (Drogheda United), Steven Kinsella (Cabinteely), Sean Callan (Shamrock Rovers), Conor Clifford (Derry City), Kian Clarke (Shamrock Rovers), Brandon Kavanagh (Shamrock Rovers - loan), Darren Craven (Malahide United), Mark Byrne (Shelbourne), Andrew Quinn (Dundalk - loan).

Players out: John Ross Wilson (Shelbourne), Callum Thompson (Longford Town), Brandon McCann (Athlone Town), Derek Daly (Athlone Town), Jack Watson (Athlone Town), Killian Cantwell (Athlone Town), Adam Hayden (Cabinteely).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Gary Shaw

After making his return to Bray Wanderers last season, forward Gary Shaw will be hoping to continue his presence as one of the most important players in the Seagulls dressing room this year.

Shaw enjoyed a positive 2020 campaign after a stint in the Premier Division with Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic – albeit he was unable to help his club back to the top-flight.

The former Hoops forward has more than enough experience about himself to catapult Bray into the title picture this season.

And with the First Division set to be its most competitive in years, Shaw’s know-how and eye for goal may be a vital asset for Gary Cronin’s side.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Darren Craven

In the midst of the Covid-19 shutdown on amateur football, Darren Craven was one of many that opted to make the move from the junior grades to senior League of Ireland football.

Craven has impressed in pre-season for the Seagulls and comes with a serious pedigree in the Leinster Senior League – joining from Malahide United.

Having not played competitive football for a few months, perhaps the former Leinster Senior League star may have to bide his time to get his chance at the Carlisle.

But should he live up to his billing, Bray fans can be quite excited with his potential talents.

How they did last season:

First Division

The Seagulls – up until the final week of the season – were in pole position to clinch the First Division title, but within the space of just seven days, their dreams were dashed by Galway United.

The Tribesmen defeated Bray twice at the Carlisle Grounds in the space of a week. Their first loss at home saw them see their title hopes all but end, and the second saw their playoff dreams dashed.

But had you said that would happen after they went four goals behind away to Cabinteely on the opening night of the season, you may have been laughed at.

Overall, despite the heartache, Bray emerged as a real force once again in terms of the First Division promotion race after a disappointing 2019.

There were of course some great nights for Bray in 2020, with sweeping wins over Longford Town, UCD, Cabinteely and Shamrock Rovers II giving them plenty of optimism for the future.

They also saw a number of young stars emerge, none more so than teenage striker Darragh Lynch who catapulted himself onto the scene with some impressive goalscoring displays.

The Seagulls also had the best defensive record in the division, and picked up ten clean sheets for their troubles.

But despite the positives, and as the dust settles, you can only be left thinking what might have been for Bray Wanderers in the league title and promotion race last season…

FAI Cup

It was one and done for Bray Wanderers in the FAI Cup as they exited the FAI Cup at the hands of Finn Harps.

Ollie Horgan’s side comfortably saw off the challenge of Gary Cronin’s side thanks to a brace from Alexander Kogler.

What to expect this season:

After missing out on promotion last season in gut-wrenching fashion, the next step for Bray in their development will be eyeing a return to the top-flight this term.

Saying that, it will not be easy for the Seagulls given the moves made by the likes of Galway United and Shelbourne during the off-season.

They will also have to do it the hard way having lost a number of their key men from last season – with Callum Thompson being one that has earned a move to the Premier Division with Longford.

Meanwhile, they have also lost defensive pairing Kilian Cantwell and John Ross Wilson to Athlone and Shelbourne respectively.

However, Cronin has been able to add to his ranks with the likes of Brandon Kavanagh, Sean Callan, Toby Owens and Kian Clarke all joining from Shamrock Rovers.

But the big-name arrival at the club has to Conor Clifford who joins from Derry City after a tough year on Foyleside for the Dubliner.

As Bray have managed to replace most of their outgoings, their player retentions have been equally as impressive – with Dylan Barnett and Brian Maher both staying at the club for 2021.

In a recent interview with extratime.com, Cronin revealed that one of his aims during the off-season was to add to his squad depth, and that he has.

Having added to his squad depth, it remains to be seen if the Seagulls can challenge for the title again, and in truth, there is little to suggest why they can’t go one step further this time.

Title Odds: 7/1.

First game: Treaty United (home).