Bray Wanderers are holding third place in the League of Ireland First Division as the season enters its final stages. The club's position was confirmed in a league table update on Friday, August 28th, 2026, which placed the Seagulls on 43 points from 28 matches.
Bray's record stands at 12 wins, 7 draws, and 9 defeats. They have scored 56 goals while conceding 41, giving them a healthy +15 goal difference. This puts them 21 points behind the runaway leaders, Cork City, but firmly inside the top four positions that qualify for the end-of-season promotion play-offs. Their recent form, however, has been inconsistent, with just one win in their last five outings (LDDWL).
The side's last result was a 4-2 defeat away to Longford Town on August 22nd. That loss is part of a patchy run of results over the past month. Looking at a broader six-game sequence, their form reads: Win, Win, Loss, Loss, Win, Loss. This inconsistency is something manager Ian Ryan will be keen to address as the play-off picture solidifies. The team's attacking output remains strong, but defensive solidity will be key in the coming weeks.
On the evening of August 28th, Bray Wanderers were in action against Athlone Town at Athlone's stadium. That fixture was one of five First Division games taking place simultaneously. The other matches saw Cobh Ramblers host Longford Town, Cork City face Wexford, Kerry take on Treaty United, and UCD play Finn Harps. All these games were in progress at the time the league data was published.
The challenge does not get any easier for Bray. Their next scheduled fixture is a massive home game against league leaders Cork City on September 4th. Facing the top side is a direct test of their play-off credentials and an opportunity to close that 21-point gap, if only symbolically. A positive result at the Carlisle Grounds would provide a significant boost ahead of the final run-in.
Fans can find the full schedule of remaining games on our club fixtures list.
The battle for the play-off spots behind Cork City is intense. The updated table shows UCD, Longford Town, and Cobh Ramblers all in contention alongside Bray. Every point matters at this stage of the season. Bray's current cushion, built on those 12 victories, gives them a platform, but they cannot afford a prolonged slump. The team's goal difference of +15 could prove important if the race tightens further.
For the latest league positions, visit our standings page.
Manager Ian Ryan will be drilling his squad on the training ground, focusing on converting their strong goal-scoring form into more consistent results. The match against Cork City represents a perfect chance to build momentum before the final push for a play-off place that could lead back to the Premier Division.
