🗞️ Match Preview | Dundalk FC vs Bray Wanderers

Dundalk FC
Sep 11
3 min read

📅 Date: Friday, September 12, 2025

⏰ Kick-off: 7.45PM

📍 Venue: Oriel Park

Dundalk FC return to Oriel Park this Friday night as they face Bray Wanderers in Matchday 31 of the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division.

The Lilywhites come into the game on the back of two consecutive draws, a dramatic 3-3 against Kerry FC at home followed by a goalless stalemate away to Wexford FC last Friday. Despite dropping points, Ciarán Kilduff’s men remain top of the table on 66 points. Second placed Cobh Ramblers failed to take advantage last week, meaning the gap between the sides stays at six points with six games left to play. Every point now is crucial as Dundalk push to seal the First Division title and promotion back to the Premier Division.

📈 Bray’s Form

Bray Wanderers come into this fixture firmly in the play-off positions. They sit third in the table on 56 points, just four behind Cobh Ramblers in second and ten clear of UCD in fourth.

Their recent form has been mixed, with two wins and two defeats in their last four games. They fell to Cobh (0-2) at the Carlisle Grounds, responded with a 1-0 away win over Wexford, then lost 3-2 away to UCD before bouncing back with a 3-1 home victory over Athlone Town last Friday.

Bray will arrive at Oriel Park determined to cement their place in the promotion spots while also looking to stall Dundalk’s charge towards the league title.

⚔️ Previous Meetings

This will be the fourth meeting between Dundalk and Bray in 2025, with the head to head finely balanced so far.

The sides first met back in February at the Carlisle Grounds, where Dundalk ran riot in the first half. Goals from Horgan, Ebbe, and Kenny gave the Lilywhites a commanding 3-0 lead, and despite a late Bray strike, Kilduff’s side ran out 3-1 winners on the newly laid Carlisle surface.

In May at Oriel Park, the two teams played out a thrilling 2-2 draw. McHale’s volley put Dundalk ahead before Cantwell levelled for Bray. The visitors looked to have snatched victory when Warren struck in the 88th minute, but Arubi rescued a point for Dundalk with a dramatic header deep into injury time.

Their most recent clash came in July, with Bray taking the spoils at the Carlisle Grounds. A Max Murphy penalty gave them the lead before Bishop added a stoppage-time second as Dundalk pressed for an equalizer, sealing a 2-0 victory.

That result left the season series evenly poised, with both sides taking four points each from the three games played so far.

Last Time Out In Oriel Park

🗣️ Kilduff’s Thoughts

Reflecting on recent results, Ciarán Kilduff said:

“We’ve had two tough draws over the last couple of weeks, but the lads have shown great resilience and work rate. We know every point is massive now with six games left, and we’re fully focused on putting in a big performance back at Oriel on Friday night.

Looking ahead to Bray, he added:

“They’ve caused us problems this season and we’ll need to be at our best again. The lads have trained really well this week, we’ve got players coming back into the squad, and we’re looking forward to the challenge. With the backing of our supporters at home, we’ll be ready to give everything.”

📋 Team News

Dundalk will continue to be without long-term absentees Leo Gaxha and Sean McHale. However, the Lilywhites are boosted by the return of Vinnie Leonard, Eoin Kenny, and Sean Spaight from international duty. There is further good news with Ethen Vaughan, Shane Tracey, and Luke Mulligan all completing another full week of training and available for selection.

Aside from the long-term injuries, everyone else is fit and ready to go.