General
- Friday April 22nd, 2016 @ 17:05
Team News: Bray Vs ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC
St Patrick's Athletic make the short trip to the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday evening as they face Bray Wanderers in the SSE Airtricity League (kick-off 7.30pm).
The Saints will be hoping for a fourth away win this season as they look maintain their 100% winning record away from home, while the Seagulls who are now under the guidance of Harry Kenny, will be looking for a win to take them off the bottom of the table.
Following last Monday's EA Sports Cup Final 1-0 win over Dundalk after extra time, Saints' manager Liam Buckley confirmed to stpatsfc.com that his side have a few injury concerns ahead of Saturday's game. Both striker Christy Fagan and defender Darren Dennehy face late fitness tests before kick-off, while goalkeeper Conor O'Malley remains out with an ankle injury. In more positive news though, skipper Ger O'Brien resumed training this week.
"I was really delighted with the result on Monday," Buckley admitted when reflecting on the win over Dundalk thanks to a goal from Rory Feely. "We worked really hard and had to dig in to get the win, and seeing the determination and commitment from the players was fanstastic."
"However Saturday is a different competition, different game. We played out in Bray a few weeks ago in the Leinster Senior Cup and they put it up to us that night. We know the areas they are strong in so we have to get it right from our end of things and hopefully if we do that, we can get the three points."
Michael Barker was just one of a number of new signings for the Saints over the close season, and the former Bray Wanderers defender admitted to stpatsfc.com that he is excited with the group that Liam Buckley has put together this season.
"When you're involved in the team in games like last Monday, it's a great buzz to come away with a win over a team like Dundalk. We made a few changes to the team and we still could get a result. We know we have to keep working hard though if we're to be competing with the other teams near the top of the league."
Ahead of facing his former side, Barker was quick to stress that while the current Bray Wanderers side was different to the side he was part of last year, it was still a team very much capable of defeating Liam Buckley's men.
"It's definitely different to be preparing for a game against Bray and getting ready for the game in the away dressing room; I'd still know a few of the lads there as well so I'll probably hear from them before the game. But you've got to put it to one side. We're focused on the game ahead and we're trying to get the three points and keep our good run of results going."
