Galway United set up Waterford play-off showdown after overcoming Longford Town

So it's UCD, Waterford or Galway United as the tenth top-tier SSE Airtricity League Premier Division team next season after a flattering but deserved 3-0 win for United against Longford Town in the second leg of their play-off semi-final at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Late goals from substitutes Mikey Rowe and Rob Manley eased the pressure on the home side, who went ahead midway through the first half through David Hurley, and absorbed much pressure but always looked like hurting a shaky Longford defence.

For John Caulfield, now in his third year of play-offs with United, this was a massive win, and the Tribesmen will be problematic for Waterford, albeit second-favourites, in a clash of styles in the First Division play-off final.

A throbbing Terryland, over 3,000 in attendance, basked in the balmy weather, and United will gain lots of belief from this after their title challenge ran aground some weeks ago.

It was a cagey opening on a pitch that had action on Saturday and heavy rain but was holding up really well. Top scorer Stephen Walsh's header on 11 minutes from a United corner was headed off the line, but Longford looked threatening on the break.

Darren Clarke, a brother of the classy Trevor, caused havoc in the first leg and his teasing cross on 18 minutes saw Killian Brouder seemingly handle on the ground; United got away with it.

Ex-United frontman Jordan Adeyemo also created misery for his old club in the first leg and he teed up Mark Hanratty for a great chance but he dragged his shot wide.

Havoc created a United goal in the first leg too, a throw in from Brouder, and the same was the case 24 minutes in for United's opener, with Hurley, who excelled on the Strokestown Road, hooking home via a Luke Dennison parry, Brouder apt