Wanderers launch late surge for European spot

THEY have been the butt of the joke since July but now Bray Wanderers could have the last laugh as they launch a late surge towards Europe.

Their astonishing 0-5 thumping of Derry City has propelled them back to within touching distance of a potential European place but it will be hard earned – Harry Kenny’s men face each member of the top three in their final three fixtures.

Kenny Shiels’ Candystripes currently occupy fourth place – not ordinarily a European spot – but that will change if a side already qualified for Europe lifts the FAI Cup. Cork City, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers will contest the semi-finals and all three appear to be safe bets to qualify for an overseas adventure already meaning a high likelihood of fourth place guaranteeing Europe.

One point separates the Seagulls from Derry City but the Donegal dwellers do have a game in hand. Wanderers’ run-in may look daunting but it could yet work in their favour. In their penultimate home fixture, they host a struggling Galway United side. Bray welcome Shamrock Rovers to the Carlisle Grounds on October 20th and either side of that they visit Dundalk and Cork respectively.

While they may all sound like intimidating fixtures, Rovers could be out of sight for Bray by the time they roll into town and Cork and Dundalk will have nothing to play for with first and second already sewn up respectively so a hungry and rampant Bray side could claim the scalp of their prey whose focus would be elsewhere.

As for Derry City, they have to tangle with three sides threatened with relegation.

Bray’s remaining fixtures: Galway United (H) 07/10/17; Dundalk (A) 13/10/17; Shamrock Rov- ers (H) 20/10/17; Cork City (A) 27/10/17.

Derry’s: Cork City (A) 07/10/17; Finn Harps (H) 13/10/17; Sligo Rovers (A) 21/10/17; St. Patrick’s Athletic (H) 27/10/17.

Shamrock Rovers’ remaining fixtures: Drogheda (A) 07/10/17; Sligo Rovers (H) 13/10/17; Bray Wanderers (A) 20/10/17; Limerick (H) 27/10/17).