Cork City look to make it three from three as Bray visit the Cross

Cork City return to Turner’s Cross this evening as they host Bray Wanderers in the League of Ireland First Division. The Leesiders have started the season under new manager Barry Robson with two wins from two, snatching it late against Treaty United before dismantling Wexford away last Friday.

Business is being done early, it would seem.

Bray Wanderers arrive at the Cross with plenty of change to their squad from last season that won the First Division playoff final, before falling to Waterford in their bid to reach the Premier Division.

They finished third that season – the same position they stand now after two games – and it was Paul Heffernan’s first full season as manager, having taken over from Ian Ryan.

The shifts to their squad ahead of 2026 have been quite drastic, 13 players have departed including loan players Rhys Bartley and Matt Britton, while Cian Curtis transferred to Treaty United and Max Murphy made the move to Wexford.

They’ve added defender Dean O’Shea and midfielder Ryan Kelly, along with Rian Hogan as a goalkeeper. Kelly started both of their opening two games, but O’Shea and Hogan are yet to feature. Bray have also added Dan Ring, Tyreik Sammy and Declan Osagie on loan from Shelbourne and Bohs respectively.

It’s still far too early to make any judgements but it’s a given that City will be favourites on paper for almost every league game this year, and this time more so than they have in previous years.

RECORD 

The teams haven’t met in the league since their 3-3 draw in Bray back in September 2024, and the other three meetings between the teams all went City’s way. The pattern was the same in 2022, three wins for City and one draw.

In fact, the last time that Bray Wanderers managed a win over Cork City was when both were in the Premier Division in 2016 and Bray put four past City at the Carlisle Grounds, with Karl Sheppard’s second half goal a consolation for the team. Both Greg Bolger and Seani Maguire were on the bench that day.

Since then, City have recorded 19 games unbeaten against the Seagulls, and there’s a strong chance they’ll stretch that run to 20 on Friday night. But it’s hardly a record with the greatest standing given the fall off of both teams.

Returns to the First Division have always been ugly and unwelcome for Cork City, but this year at least they’re better poised than most to get back to the top, particularly with the quality that they have.

Winning games consistently and comfortably in this tier won’t change much in how the fans perceive this season – the team must do the minimum and achieve automatic promotion – but there’s a good chance that on their way to doing so, they’ll be an entertaining team to watch.

New signing Hans Mpongo has already made an immediate impression. The 22-year-old was excellent in and out of possession on the opening night against Treaty, and he provided the assist for Keating’s winning strike at the death. He departed shortly after to an ovation from the fans.

Against Wexford, he opened his account for the club with a phenomenal 16th minute strike to put the game to bed almost immediately.

Given he’s joined by Ruairi Keating and Seani Maguire up front, the only real threat to City’s title ambitions will be the lotto of injuries. That factor certainly bit them last year, and avoiding that this season will be crucial.

It is early, it is February. But changes to the team that defeated Wexford will be minimal, if any are made. Cillian Murphy was so influential on his first start he’ll likely keep his place, and the back three of Charlie Lyons, Rory Feely and Fiacre Kelleher looks like it will be immovable for the season.

They’ve been sharp and aggressive in the opening two games, but Robson will be looking to build and develop that as the season goes on.