LOI preview: Division 1 play-offs 2nd legs, Hoops crowned

Waterford FC are well placed to reach the First Division play-off, with Cork City and Longford all square ahead of their second leg, while Tallaght Stadium will be the setting as Shamrock Rovers are crowned the 2022 Premier Division champions.

SATURDAY

First Division Promotion play-off second leg

Waterford (4) v Treaty United (1), RSC, 7.45pm

This tie looks done and dusted after the opening leg, where Waterford's class was too much for Treaty in a game where Phoenix Patterson stole the show. It certainly a case of Phoenix on the rise; his talents are surely worthy of a place in the top division. A lot of pundits favour the Blues to jump this play-off hurdle, not only that they also fancy them to get by either Finn Harps or UCD for that prized ticket back to the top flight.

Patterson, who played alongside Troy Parrott for the Tottenham's U-23, has fired in 20 goals so far from the wing this season. Two of those came in Wednesday's relatively straightforward dismissal of Tommy Barrett's side.

Barrett, along with other managers in the First Division, have no hesitation in saying that Patterson is the standout player in the section, with the 22-year-old recently being named the SSE/SWI Player of the Month, just the third player from the First Division to receive the award in in over 11 years.

Needless to say Waterford will aim to be professional as they look to put the tie firmly to bed, a point emphasised by midfielder Niall O'Keeffe when speaking to waterfordfc.ie.

"As a group, it's important to remember that this is only the first leg, and we have to show that same level of professionalism for the second leg on Saturday.

"As a group we’re taking it game by game, and we play in front of our own home fans for the final time this