Match Preview - Bray Wanderers v Treaty United First Division Play-Off Final

For the second year in a row, Bray will contest First Division Play-Off Final. 

After a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Athlone Town 12 months ago, the Wicklow side will travel on Sunday to face Treaty United in the decider at the Athlone Town Stadium. 

“We are excited for Sunday. Our goal at the start of January was to get promoted and that is still there for us” declared First Team Coach Paul Hefferbnan. 

“We have huge respect for Treaty, but we will concentrate and focus on ourselves. And what we need to do to put in a strong performance. And hopefully, that will see us get the right result.” 

After a record breaking season at the Carlisle Grounds, with the best attendance at the venue since the 2011 campaign, Heffernan is hoping the fans travel in numbers to Westmeath to get behind Wanderers. 

“The support we got for both legs against UCD was amazing. The atmosphere and the energy in the Carlisle Grounds last Tuesday was special. We will need all that support to really get behind the team again on Sunday in Athlone.” 

 

 

Guillermo Almirall has returned to training after missing the second leg against UCD. 

Republic of Ireland U17 cap Billy O’Neill is suspended. 

Midfielder Jamie Ryan remains out with a shoulder problem. 

 

 

When the teams met last April at the Carlisle Grounds, Bray won 2-1. 

Kilian Cantell gave the Green and White’s a first half lead. Former Seagull Yoyo Mahdy equalised after the break. But Danú Kinsella Bishop then grabbed the winner. 

In the reverse fixture last June, United won 2-1 at the Markets Field. 

Lee Devitt found the net once in each half for Treaty. Guillermo Almirall pulled one back for Wanderers. 

Back at the Carlisle in July, Richard Ferizaj grabbed an injury time winner as the Wicklow outfit claimed a 3-2 triumph. 

Mark Byrne had put United ahead. That was cancelled out by Conor Knight by half time. Cian Curtis gave Bray a 2-1 lead only for Joe Hanson to equalise. 

At the Markets Field in October, the Limerick side won 2-1 thanks to second half goals by Mark Byrne and Joe Hanson. Cian Curtis replied for the Seasiders.