While all eyes will be on Prague this week, the players and managers of the League of Ireland First Division will need to stay focused on another crucial gameweek. Before joining the Irish contingent in Czechia, LOI TV Commentator Kieran Burke has mulled over this weekend’s games to find the best bets.
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Bray Wanderers v Kerry FC – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
Kerry picked up their first win of the season at home to Finn Harps on Friday, but they may struggle to back that result up away to last season’s beaten play-off finalists. Bray Wanderers were the surprise package of 2025, coming up just short in their bid for promotion, but they’ve not allowed the disappointment of their play-off final defeat to slow them down.
The Seagulls sit second behind league leaders Cork City after three wins, two draws, and just one defeat from their opening six league matches. After back-to-back wins at home to Athlone and UCD, the Wicklow outfit were unlucky not to make it three on the spin away to last season’s runners-up Cobh Ramblers.
Bray were on the wrong end of a terrible refereeing decision in the game, but still came away with a credible point on their travels.
Wanderers have won all six home meetings with Kerry FC since the Kingdom joined the league in 2023, and they should have too much quality for the visitors once again.
BEST BET: Bray Wanderers (19/20) +2pts
Cork City v Athlone Town – Fri, 7.45, LOI TV
There’s a real air of inevitability about the First Division this season. Cork City are the only team in the second tier without a defeat this season, and they very well could go the whole year without a loss. The Rebel Army are a different beast to every other club in the division, from their fanbase to financial muscle and sheer player quality, nobody can hold a candle to Cork City at this level.
Athlone Town have been the surprise package so far this year. Last season’s wooden spoon recipients sit third, six points behind City, but they’ve lost two of their last three games, including away to Treaty United last time out. That was the Limerick outfit’s first win of the season.
Cork City have conceded just three goals in six matches, and they’ve also scored the most goals in the league with ten. Despite those impressive feats, City haven’t been running away with games this term. Four of their wins this season have been achieved by the odd goal, but they did win 1-4 away to Wexford, and with Athlone’s strong start losing some momentum of late, this could be a good night at the office for the Turners Cross faithful.
BEST BET: Cork City -1 (19/20) +2pts
Longford Town v Finn Harps – Sat, 7.30, LOI TV
Longford Town also claimed their first win of the campaign last week with an impressive 2-0 victory at home to Wexford. Longford’s new-look front two of Darragh Murtagh and Dean Williams appeals as an old-school striking partnership that could cause opposition defences all kinds of problems this year.
At the back, De Town looks so much more assured than in previous years, with the giant Cole Omorehiomwan a nightmare to pick up in both boxes, and the young guns of Connor Errity and Jack McCarthy looking like far more experienced players than they actually are.
In the middle, Alex O’Brien looks like a player who could go to a very high level. The fact that he’s wearing the captain’s armband at just 21 is further evidence of his class.
The First Division has become a real schooling ground for emerging talent in recent years, and Finn Harps have their fair share of exciting young players among their ranks. 17-year-old Gavin McAteer has already made over 50 league appearances since 2024 and is perhaps their most promising prospect.
Longford’s best results under Wayne Groves have come at home, and with their confidence boosted after Saturday’s win, they look a great value bet to record consecutive home wins this weekend.
BEST BET: Longford Town 17/10 (+1pts)
Thoughts on Remaining Games
Cobh Ramblers have made a slower start than expected, with just one win from six matches. The Rams appear to be lacking in the final third following Barry Coffey’s departure to the States. UCD have suffered back-to-back defeats and are another side who don’t look stacked in the final third. Their meeting at the UCD Bowl on Friday could result in a low-scoring draw.
Wexford disappointed in their defeat away to Longford last weekend. Despite bringing in some experienced bodies during the off-season, there doesn’t appear to have been an instant improvement from last year’s under-par showing, as Stephen Elliott’s men missed out on a place in the play-offs.
Treaty United got their season up and running with a first win at home to Athlone last time out, and Tommy Barrett’s well-organised outfit may prove difficult to break down at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday. A match draw or backing Treaty United Draw No Bet are the two avenues I’d be exploring.
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