Soccer

Pat Devlin hoping good fortune smiles again on Bray Wanderers

Just two points separate Bohemians, UCD and Bray as they battle to avoid finishing second bottom

Bray’s Kieran “Marty” Waters and John Mulroy celebrate at the final whistle in last week’s game against Bohemians.

Paul Buttner
Fri Oct 25 2013 - 01:00



Admitting his side rode their luck in securing a vital win at Bohemians last week, Bray Wanderers' manager Pat Devlin will need good fortune to continue to smile on them tonight.

That 1-0 win at Dalymount Park was Bray’s second in succession and pulled them clear of the bottom of the table to automatically relegate Shelbourne.

Just two points separate Bohemians, UCD and Bray as they battle to avoid finishing second bottom and ending up in the play-off.

Bray still have a good bit to do – while also requiring a result to go in their favour – going into tonight’s final game of the season at home to Dundalk, who themselves need a result to secure second place.

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"It's an intriguing game with both sides needing the points," said Devlin. "It's all to play for and it will be very interesting."

Injury concern
Bray's only injury concern is skipper Danny O'Connor (groin). Dundalk welcome winger Darren Meenan back from suspension.

Bohemians have the experience of defender Anto Murphy and midfielder Dave Mulcahy returning from illness and injury respectively as they head to Drogheda United effectively still needing a point.

Cup finalists Drogheda are without suspended midfielder Ryan Brennan while defender Derek Prendergast and midfielders David Cassidy and Paul O’Conor are injury concerns.

Defender Hugh Douglas is out injured for UCD, who must equal Bray’s result to avoid the play-off, for their trip to Tolka Park to face Shelbourne who continue without long-term injured Glenn Cronin, Brian Shortall, Jack Memery and Mark Leech, though midfielder Paul Crowley is back fit and may play some part.

Central defender Garry Buckley is suspended for Cork City who wait for a fitness check on utility man John Dunleavy ahead of welcoming champions St Patrick’s Athletic to Turner’s Cross.

Alan Kelly, who refereed European Champions Bayern Munich's Champions League group win over Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday, takes charge of his final League of Ireland game before moving to a full-time officiating career in America.

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