PHOTO: David Fitzgerald / Sportsfile
Exactly one third of the First Division season is played, and the table still appears to be relatively tight, with the two top teams from Dundalk and Bray only being separated by one win. Both sides have to master two interesting tasks this Friday night.
Athlone Town vs Dundalk
It will certainly be a special meeting for Ciarán Kilduff at Lissywollen. Before taking charge of Dundalk, the 36-year-old successfully managed the Athlone Town women’s side, winning the FA Cup in 2023 and the Premier Division in 2024 with his team. However, there will hardly be time for any sentiments, as the visitors have the clear aspiration to cement their first place in the table. On the other side, the hosts, who are without a win for seven games, hope to wrong-foot the league leaders and retain at least a point in the Midlands.
Prediction Athlone Town 1 Dundalk 3
Cobh Ramblers vs Bray Wanderers
This one is the clash of the night, with the third-placed Rams hosting the second-placed visitors. And both teams are in brilliant shape. While the Seagulls have won seven (!) in a row, Cobh were at least successful in their last three games. Therefore, an attractive encounter can be expected at St Colman’s Park.
Prediction Cobh Ramblers 2 Bray Wanderers 2
Finn Harps vs Treaty United
Last week, the Harps were defeated 3-1 by Cobh Ramblers, suffering their first loss after a decent streak with three wins and three draws. The Donegal side will now try to kick off a new run of good results. Meanwhile, fifth-placed Treaty have the aim to build from their recent 1-0 victory against Athlone.
Prediction Finn Harps 1 Treaty United 1
UCD vs Kerry FC
Despite being one man down for over 30 minutes, the Students managed to grab a 1-0 win at Wexford last Friday. The performances are barely spectacular, but UCD gradually climbed to the sixth place in the table, being right in the middle of the promotion battle. Against bottom-placed club Kerry, the next W is clearly within reach for the hosts.
Prediction UCD 2 Kerry FC 1
Longford Town vs Wexford (Saturday Night)
In their second home game in a row, Longford is looking for a better outcome compared to last week’s clash against Dundalk which ended in an unthreatened 3-0 win for the table-toppers. Still, Wexford are the favourites in this encounter, sitting fourth in the table and having way bigger ambitions than the Midlanders who have collected only two victories this season so far.
Prediction Longford Town 0 Wexford 1