Bray Wanderers drawn against Kerry in First Division play-off semi-finals

Bray Wanderers will play Kerry in a two-legged First Division play-off semi-final, with the first leg away on 24 October, as they aim to end a two-year streak of play-off defeats and return to the top flight.

Bray Wanderers will face Kerry in the League of Ireland First Division play-off semi-finals. The first leg is at Mounthawk Park on Saturday 24 October at 19:45, with the return fixture at the Carlisle Grounds three days later on Tuesday 27 October, also kicking off at 19:45.

The Seagulls, who finished third in the table with 54 points from 36 games, are aiming to break a frustrating pattern. They have lost in the promotion/relegation play-off in each of the last two seasons, falling to Waterford in 2023 and Drogheda United last year. Their recent form of two wins, two losses and a draw shows the inconsistency they will need to overcome. Their overall record this season stands at fifteen wins, nine draws and twelve losses.

Route to the semi-finals

Bray Wanderers secured their play-off spot by finishing third, 21 points behind champions Cork City. They scored 67 goals this season, with M. Murphy their top scorer on eight. The team's goal difference of plus fourteen reflects a campaign where they conceded 53 times. Kerry, in their fourth season in the league, are making their first ever appearance in the play-offs after securing one of the final spots last Friday.

Path to promotion

The winner of this semi-final will meet either Longford Town or UCD in the final on 1 November. The victor of that final will then play the team that finishes ninth in the Premier Division, currently Waterford, for a place in the top division. Bray Wanderers have not played in the Premier Division since 2018.

All the key dates for the club's run-in are on our fixtures page. The squad, which has conceded 53 goals this term, will need to be at its best to handle the two-legged tie against a Kerry side with nothing to lose. The first leg in Tralee is now the immediate focus for Ian Ryan's team.

First reported at RTE.ie

Update, 19 Oct 2026

Bray Wanderers enter the play-offs on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Finn Harps on 16 October, a result that confirmed their third-place finish. Manager Ian Ryan said the team must learn from the loss, stating, "We have to be more clinical in both boxes." The Seagulls' final league record stands at 15 wins, nine draws and 12 losses from 36 games.

Update, 20 Oct 2026

Athlone Town manager Sean O'Connor has expressed interest in making Sean Brennan's loan from Bray Wanderers a permanent transfer. O'Connor told reporters he is 'very interested' in the move. Bray, who finished third with 54 points, face Kerry in their play-off semi-final first leg on 24 October.