Bray out to end Cork hoodoo | Airtricity League

Bray out to end Cork hoodoo

Bray Wanderers take on Cork City at the Carlisle Grounds as they look to cause a further twist in the title race by taking three points off the league leaders. The Seagulls could do with a win having lost their last two outings, against Drogheda United and Galway United.

However, Cork City appear to be Wanderers’ bad luck charm – Eddie Gormley’s side have not beaten the Leesiders in their last seven attempts.

Derek Pender will be the home side’s only absentee, as the former Shamrock Rovers defender has still not recovered from an ankle injury. Otherwise, Gormley has a full squad to choose from as he looks to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Terryland Park.

Cork City travel to Wicklow on superb form, with last weekend’s narrow 1-0 defeat of Derry City sending Paul Doolin’s side three points clear at the top of the table. The Leesiders defeated Bray Wanderers 2-1 at Turner’s Cross earlier in the season and that win sent Doolin’s side on a run of form that has seen them undefeated in the seven league matches since.

Danny Murphy returns from suspension, although his place on the banned list is taken by Stephen O’Donnell. Billy Dennehy returns to first team action, while Neal Horgan may also be available for selection. Manager Paul Doolin is delighted to be top of the table and is eyeing another three points against Bray Wanderers.

“Last week was a tough game, and it was a fantastic win for us," he said. "I think we played really well in the first half and played some very good football. Maybe on another day we could have scored another goal or two, but Derry having a man sent off did disrupt the game, maybe even more for us than for them. Derry have been together a lot longer as a team than we have; we have only been together four months and people are still getting to know each other and getting used to working with each other. In any league, to have 25 points out of a possible 27 is fantastic and we are really pleased with our form.

“Bray are a young side and having managed UCD myself, I know that managing a young side can be difficult, but they are a good side and have some good players. I was at their game against Drogheda a few weeks ago and they were unlucky not to have got something out of that game. We have been very good on the road this season, and we are confident in our own abilities. It is important that we try to pick up another three points on Friday night, but we will give Bray Wanderers the same respect that we give Bohs, Derry and every other club we play.”

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