Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland

The Airtricity/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month Award for April was presented to the Bray star by Jason Cooke, Head of Communications with Airtricity, at Carlisle Grounds, Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Wexford native Dempsey starred for Bray throughout the month beginning with a shock one-nil win away to defending champions Shamrock Rovers.

“I suppose our plan going to Tallaght Stadium was to not get beaten, and we played very well on the night as a team and I felt we fully deserved the three points”, said Dempsey. A week later and the Seagulls saw off Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds before two further early goals saw Bray past the challenge of Galway United. 

“In some respects we wanted to get as many points on the table as is mathematically possible and to get some breathing space between ourselves and the bottom. That's the reality”, added Dempsey.

The County Wicklow outfit concluded the month with a credible point away to Dundalk at Oriel Park with the result that Bray are now within one win of a top three placing.

“I'm very pleased with how the season is going so far, and it's a really challenging and interesting league to be involved with because there is only a few points between a heap of teams.”

It's been a very decent start to the season for Bray who have edged clear of the relegation zone, and into a position from which the club could challenge for a place in Europe. 

“While our form has been decent, UCD will really test us. The games between us tend to be close and I'm really enjoying playing alongside the lads in the Bray squad, and to try to bring them on."

For Dempsey, in this his second spell at the club, it's been a successful season to-date with precious little between the five sides between third and seventh in the standings.

It leaves things finely poised ahead of tomorrow's home clash against third from bottom UCD, a game which Dempsey is clearly relishing.

“The fans at Bray have been great and I'm sure they are looking forward to Friday's game. We have a good, solid home record and it's important that we do everything in our power to build on it", concluded the experienced Dempsey. 

The midfielder started out with Bray in 2000, and joined Waterford United a year later before playing cross-channel with Dunfermline Athletic, Darlington, Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town and Aberdeen. He returned for a second spell at the Carlisle Grounds last summer.