Sporting just 90 minutes from promotion
Sporting Fingal boss Liam Buckley
Sporting Fingal are only 90 minutes away from promotion to the Premier Division as they take a 2-0 lead into tonight’s clash with Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds, kick-off 7.45pm.
Fingal duo Alan Kirby and Gary O’Neill are set to be fit after the pair missed the first-leg at a rain-soaked Morton Stadium on Friday.
John Frost remains doubtful as he is still struggling with a hamstring strain. Otherwise, Sporting boss Liam Buckley has no other injury worries or suspensions to contend with.
Despite holding a two-goal cushion from the first 90 minutes, the manager is treating this game on its own merits.
“We will approach the game as we always do with the intention of winning it,” said Buckley.
“The weather conditions made last Friday’s match a lottery and the result said nothing about the difference between the sides. I’m expecting another difficult game from Bray.
“This is a standalone fixture in my mind and, though it’s nice to have the advantage, the mindset will be to play our normal game.
“We’ve worked hard to get into a position of being one game away from reaching the Premier Division but that work is far from over. I’ve no doubt the attitude of our players at the Carlisle Grounds will reflect that.”
Wanderers will have to plan without captain Derek Pender who picked up a knee injury in the first leg on Friday night.
There is also a doubt about Gary McCabe who has an ankle injury and he will have a late fitness test.
Dave Mulcahy returns to the squad after missing the first leg due to a family bereavement.
Manager Eddie Gormley said: "We played well on Friday night and probably created the better chances.
“We hit the woodwork three times. We at least deserved a draw.
"We will have to go out on Monday and play the same way and hope we get the bounce of the ball. We had no luck on Friday night at all. If we get a goal we are right back in it and that’s what we will be trying to do.”
