Waterford's Romeo Akachukwu hits half-hour hat-trick to sink Athlone Town and seal play-off final spot

(Waterford win 4-2 on aggregate)

Waterford are one step closer to a return to the Premier Division after a Romeo Akachukwu hat-trick inspired the team to a 3-1 victory over Athlone Town in the First Division promotion semi-finals.

The Blues had to do it the hard way after Franz Pierrot equalised for Athlone midway through the second half.

Ireland U17 international Akachukwu's second of the game in the 78th minute was the difference and the third added to the celebrations in the stands filled with 2,237 spectators.