Following a two-week break in play, the resumption of League of Ireland First Division football is nearly upon us, with both sides from the South East on the road.
Waterford FC are definitively in a league of their own at the restart. Sitting ten points behind leaders Galway United in second spot, Keith Long's men hold a 13-point lead over third-placed Athlone Town.
The Blues make the trip to Cork for game week 20, with Cobh Ramblers as the hosts. Long knows his side must be at their best to get a positive result.
"The last time we played in Cork was a really tough game," he said on Sportsbeat Xtra.
"We went two nil up, we got ahead early and scored two really good goals. But after that, it was a slog - we had to dig in and fight tooth and nail.
"We've got to ensure that the boys come back physically refreshed, mentally refreshed, recharged and reenergized and ready to go."
Kick-off is at 7:45 pm on Friday, June 23.
𝙊𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮
Looking forward to our return to action as we make the trip to face Cobh Ramblers this Friday.
Tickets are on sale below 👇
🎫 https://t.co/K8x2T4GUpr#WaterfordFC pic.twitter.com/Rmg0Gz2c7p
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) June 22, 2023
Elsewhere, James Keddy and his Wexford FC side make the long trip to Donegal to face Finn Harps.
Wexford sits in sixth position in the table, only three points behind Bray Wanderers in the final promotion playoff position.
Keddy is focusing on one game at a time and feels that his side is where they need to be at the restart.
Speaking to Shaun Connolly on SportsBeat Xtra, he is aiming for a win after the Summer break.
"They're up and down, a little bit like ourselves," he said.
"They have a new squad, but they're full-time as well.
"The last time we played, we should have beaten them easily. But we ended up getting beaten one nil at home, and we had a draw up in Finn Park.
"We know it is going to be a difficult game again, but we'll be going looking to win the game."
Kick-off in Ballybofey is at the later time of 8:00 pm on Friday, June 23.
Back in action this Friday night!
📺LIVE coverage with Finn Harps on https://t.co/qH5RasFRi5 pic.twitter.com/gSZEY1z1VX
— Wexford FC (@WexfordFC) June 21, 2023
Leaders Galway United are at home to second-from-bottom Longford Town.
John Caulfield's men have been imperious in 2023 and will be aiming to maintain their ten-point cushion at the top of the table.
🚨 TOMORROW 🚨
Galway United 🆚 Longford Town
📅: Friday 23 June at 7:45PM#ItsATribalThing pic.twitter.com/vJUgxCUpxH— Gaillimh Aontaithe (@GalwayUnitedFC) June 22, 2023
Third-placed Athlone Town have strung together three wins in a row and welcomes Treaty United for a 7:45 pm start tomorrow evening.
Treaty are winless in five but still holds aspirations of climbing into the playoff spots.
𝕹𝖊𝖝𝖙 𝖀𝖕!
We’re Back! On Friday after a week break we take on Treaty United at home!
⏱ Fri, June 23rd, Kick-off 7:45PM.
📍 Athlone Town Stadium #CmonTheTown | #SupportLocal
🔵⚫️📸 Peter Minogue pic.twitter.com/ZD9jKCkLBh
— Athlone Town AFC (@AthloneTownAFC) June 20, 2023
Finally, Ian Ryan's Bray host bottom-of-the-table Kerry FC in a 7:45 pm start.
Ryan is looking over his shoulder at his old side from Ferrycarrig and will hope to end a winless run that has now grown to four games.
Bray Wanderers v Kerry FC Match preview
✍️ https://t.co/q4ZFqzlMhF#Seagulls 🟢⚪️ pic.twitter.com/y9H2ephhXz
— Bray Wanderers FC (@BrayWanderers) June 22, 2023
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