Bray Wanderers will face non-league opposition in the FAI Cup second round after being drawn away to CK United. The tie represents a clear opportunity for the First Division club to advance in Ireland's premier domestic cup competition.

Cup draw details

The draw for the second round was conducted this week, pitting the Seagulls against the Leinster Senior League side. CK United, based in Celbridge, County Kildare, will host the match at their home ground. The exact date and kick-off time for the fixture are yet to be confirmed by the Football Association of Ireland.

For Bray, currently second in the First Division with 50 points from 32 games, the cup offers a different challenge from their league campaign. Their recent form shows two wins, one draw, and two defeats from their last five outings, a sequence they will aim to improve upon.

Focus on league position

Manager Ian Ryan will likely use the match to rotate his squad while maintaining competitive momentum. The club's primary objective remains securing promotion from the First Division, where they sit 21 points behind leaders Cork City. Bray have scored 61 goals and conceded 44 this season, giving them a solid goal difference of +17.

Their most recent result was a 2-0 home victory over Treaty United last Friday, with goals from E. Mustali and R. Ferizaj. That win followed a 1-0 away success at Kerry, where T. Sammy scored the only goal. The team's top scorer this season is M. Murphy, who has netted eight times in 24 appearances.

Preparing for the test

While CK United play several tiers below Bray, cup football always carries the risk of an upset. Ryan will be keen to avoid any complacency as his side prepares for the trip. The match comes before a key league encounter away to third-placed UCD on September 25th, making squad management important.

The FAI Cup provides a welcome distraction and a chance for silverware. Bray Wanderers last won the competition in 1999, and a deep run this year would be a significant boost for the club and its supporters. The current league standings show how tight the race for promotion remains, adding to the importance of managing the squad across both competitions.

Bray will finalise their travel plans and match preparation in the coming days ahead of the cup tie.

First reported at Sofascore