FAI Cup Preview: Bray Wanderers -v- Finn Harps

BRAY WANDERERS

Gary Cronin takes charge of Bray Wanderers this evening for his first game in charge in an F.A.I Cup game against Finn Harps (kick-off 7.45pm).

The Seagulls currently sit bottom of the league and look destined for relegation to the First Division. They sit nine points adrift of Limerick with games beginning to run out.

Bray will welcome a cup weekend this weekend which allows them a short break from the stresses that league football brings.

With new ownership and this week a new manager announced the off field woes seem to be above water for the moment but the on field results are still suffering.

Bray have picked up just two wins in their last ten league games and everyone at the club would welcome a run in the cup to give everyone involved a much needed boost at the end of a tough season for all

They take to the field this evening as slight favourites with home advantage to enjoy but will be very wary of the experience that Ollie Horgan will provide to his team

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps have kept clean sheets in their last six league games which has been a huge boost in their ambitions to finish in one of the elusive play-off places in the next few weeks.

Ahead of their FAI Cup game this evening at the Carlisle Grounds their recent good form has them currently sitting in second place, albeit seven points behind league leaders UCD.

Ollie Horgan, who this week was back home in Galway to keep an eye on proceedings at the Galway Cup in Drom, will be glad of a short break from league action but will know they are slight underdogs as they head for the seaside.

“They might be bottom of the Premier Division but they are still playing higher quality team’s week in week out at the moment,” Horgan told the club's website.

“The players will want to impress Gary Cronin who has come in as manager at Bray earlier this week. They will certainly fancy their chances of beating us at the Carlisle Grounds.

“Obviously, the ideal scenario for us is to win and then get a home draw in the second round. We’ll need to be better than we were against Wexford over the 90 minutes.

“Playing well for 25 minutes like we did against Wexford and then drop the pace will be punished by a side of Bray’s calibre.”

Keith Cowan will return after serving a one-match suspension with Nathan Boyle, Mark Timlin and John O’Flynn all struggling with injuries in recent weeks.

They will all face late fitness tests. Paddy McCourt and Adam Duffy remain on the injured list.

Referee: Rob Harvey

MATCH FACTS

These sides met in the F.A.I Cup final almost 20 years ago in a game which went to a second replay with Bray Wanderers coming out on top eventually on a 2-1 score line.

This game was the last time Finn Harps have managed to make it to the FAI Cup final.

This evenings game will be the first in charge for new Bray Wanderers manager Gary Cronin.

BETTING

Bray Wanderers 9/5; Draw 11/5; Finn Harps 13/10

PREDICTION

Bray Wanderers 1 – 2 Finn Harps

Bray Wanderers

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Paddy McCourt, Adam Duffy.

Doubtful: Nathan Boyle, John O’Flynn, Mark Timlin.

Suspended: None.