Gameweek 23 of the League of Ireland First Division is nearly upon us, with Waterford and Wexford on the road.
We begin with Waterford FC and their quest to close the gap on the league leaders. Keith Long takes his side to Limerick for a meeting with Treaty United.
Four positions and 19 points separate the sides in the table, but this is not a foregone conclusion. Tommy Barrett's side are chasing a promotion playoff spot and sit three points behind fifth place.
🔙 𝙊𝙣 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙇𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙑𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙩
Ronan Coughlan was on the scoresheet when the sides met earlier this season - opening the scoring from the spot.
Tickets on sale now as we travel to Markets Field this Friday:
🎫 https://t.co/GAa3OrYldJ#WaterfordFC pic.twitter.com/fzrk1h6sRy
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) July 12, 2023
Long's side are 13 points behind Galway United and hold a ten-point lead over third-placed Cobh Ramblers. Having collected ten points from their previous five outings, the Blues will be eager to get back to winning ways following last week's 2-2 draw with Longford Town at the RSC.
The action gets underway at Markets Fields on Friday, July 14, at 7:45 pm.
𝗔 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀
The boys face former manager Ian Ryan's Bray side in a play-off six-pointer this Friday.
Read our match report here- https://t.co/lHJqxqj50f pic.twitter.com/D7Rx0joHGC
— Wexford FC (@WexfordFC) July 12, 2023
We focus now on Wexford FC and the intriguing battle for a promotion playoff spot. James Keddy takes his side to Bray Wanderers for a six-pointer against former Ferrycarrig chief Ian Ryan.
Wexford have lost three of their previous four fixtures and dropped to seventh place in the table. Sitting five points behind fifth-placed Bray, defeat would see an eight-point deficit to make up, leaving many to suggest that this is a must-win fixture.
There is always confidence that this side can put together a positive run of performances, and with Aaron Dobbs up front, there is more than a chance.
This fixture is set for a 7:45 pm start on Friday, July 14, at the Carlisle Grounds.
The shortest away trip there is, tickets are selling fast! 🚌
➡️: https://t.co/AtSCUY8913#ItsATribalThing pic.twitter.com/yeJAF1Onle
— Gaillimh Aontaithe (@GalwayUnitedFC) July 12, 2023
The final 7:45 pm fixture on Friday pits fourth against first, as Athlone Town welcome Galway.
Emilio Williams has steered his side to three wins in their last five outings, and they will have to be on their very best against a Galway side who have won 19 of 22 games played in 2023.
If there is any grace for the hosts, it's that their guests arrive off the back of a rare draw following a 1-1 tie with Cobh in Cork last weekend.
🐏 Back on the road!
A nice trip to Donegal to come this Friday for Ramblers as we look to make it SIX games unbeaten
Up the Rams 🟣🔵 pic.twitter.com/NN1cfIx4a1
— Cobh Ramblers FC (@CobhRamblersFC) July 12, 2023
Cobh are on the road for Friday's late kickoff. They visit Donegal for a tie with Finn Harps at 8:00 pm.
The Cork side is aiming for six games unbeaten, as they look to grow their lead on fourth-placed Athlone.
🎙️🎙️🎙️
Billy Dennehy spoke to the media earlier this week ahead of Saturday's trip to Bishopsgate#WeAreKerryFC pic.twitter.com/go6IXFT6I5
— Kerry Football Club (@KerryFC) July 13, 2023
The week's final fixture will be played out on Saturday, July 15, at 7:30 pm in Longford.
Billy Dennehy takes his Kerry side to Longford with hopes of adding to the six points collected in their inaugural League of Ireland season.
Performances have been improving from the Kingdom outfit, and there is the prospect of an entertaining game when the sides lock horns.
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