Peter Cherrie won the SSE Airtricity League championship with Dundalk in the first of their three-in-a-row titles in 2014. Now guarding the posts at Bray Wanderers, the Scottish born goalkeeper is excited by the comparisons of what’s happening at th
Peter Cherrie won the SSE Airtricity League championship with Dundalk in the first of their three-in-a-row titles in 2014.
Now guarding the posts at Bray Wanderers, the Scottish born goalkeeper is excited by the comparisons of what’s happening at the Carlisle Grounds to his last two years at Oriel Park.
Dundalk had survived relegation via the play-offs in 2012 before Stephen Kenny’s arrival initiated a remarkable transformation.
Bray were bottom of the Premier Division after eight matches last season when Harry Kenny took full charge, initially in a caretaker capacity.
A storming second half to the campaign brought Kenny’s revitalised Seagulls 11 wins from 17 league games (including home victories over Dundalk and Cork City) as they finished sixth in the table.
And that momentum has carried into 2017 with Bray recording two deserved wins from two.
“It’s been a great start, we can’t complain with that; six points from six,” said Cherrie. “Harry has brought in some great players and they’ve showed quality.
“The squad is definitely stronger than last year. We’ve 24 players and it’s great to see everybody fighting for their position in the team. Nobody’s place is secure.
“Training is very competitive which is great to see. So it’s good all round.”
With that not inconsiderable sense of expectation around the north Wicklow club, Cherrie doesn’t disagree with the notion that Bray have the potential to achieve something this season.
“Harry has told us to keep our feet on the ground and take it one game at a time,” said Cherrie, now in his eighth season in the League of Ireland having joined Dundalk from Clyde in 2009.
“We’ll take it week by week and who knows what might happen. Europe would be nice; a run in the cup would be nice. We want to be up the league as high as possible and challenging for everything.”
When Cherrie then casts his mind back to his last two seasons at Dundalk, he sees shades of that time reflected in the possibilities at Bray.
“It’s definitely as good,” said Cherrie in comparing this Bray side to the Dundalk team of 2014 with whom he won the league.
“There is a lot of experience in this squad. You’ve got the likes of Tim Clancy, Conor Kenna, John Sullivan. There is a good balance between experience and youth. I don’t see why we can’t do well.
“Harry is keeping us on our toes and there is a great buzz around the place compared to this time last year.
“Then there was doom and gloom. Now everyone has a smile on their face and it’s a good place to be.”
