Shelbourne and Drogheda United win to confirm promotion play-off showdown next month

Shelbourne and Drogheda United both won to ensure they will make up the pairing for the promotion play-off quarter final next month.

Shelbourne saw off the challenge of Galway United at Tolka Park with a comfortable 3-0 win, while Drogheda booked their place with a 2-0 win away to Cobh Ramblers.

Longford Town – who came into the game needing a win and for Drogheda to draw at the most – could only manage a point at home to UCD.

Meanwhile, second-placed Finn Harps finished the regular season in spectacular fashion as they thrashed Cabintely 7-1 at Finn Park.

Second-half goals from Greg Moorhouse and Reece McEnteer, following James English's early opener, saw Owen Heary's Shels past a young Galway United side (report here).

Drogheda United a win to be completely sure of pipping Longford to the final spot and they got off to a flyer as Sean Brennan scored a second-minute penalty before Luke Gallagher sealed the win.

Longford may have hoped for a post-coronation UCD hangover to aid their chances of getting the win they needed, but it didn't materialise as the Students raced into a 2-0 lead.

Daire O'Connor and Yoyo Mahdy scored before the half-hour, but a brace from Shamrock Rovers loanee Dean Dillon ensured the midlands side went down fighting.

And Finn Harps recorded their biggest win of the season at home to Cabinteely as Mikey Place scored twice on the way to a 7-1.

Paddy McCourt, Jesse Dever, Aidan Friel, Nathan Boyle and Jakub Borg were also on target, while Marty Waters pulled one back for the visitors.



Shelbourne will face Drogheda United in a two-legged play-off on October 5th and 8th, with the winner going on to face Finn Harps.