A last minute winner by Willie Bruton for Cobh Ramblers against Galway United earned the Ramblers a play-off place at the expense of Kildare County on Sunday afternoon.
They will now face Drogheda United in the play-off semi-final with the first leg taking place on Wednesday at St Colman's Park (Kick off 7:30) and the second leg on Saturday in O2 Park at 7:45.
The second semi-final is between Galway United and Finn Harps with the matches also taking place on Wednesday and Saturday.
Bruton grabs late winner
A late late goal by Willie Bruton earned Cobh Ramblers a place in the promotion-relegation play-offs as the Corkonians saw off Galway United by two goals to one.
With Kildare County beating Monaghan United 4-0 at Century Homes Park, Cobh needed to bag all three points to claim the final play-off spot and entering the final ten minutes things were getting desperate.
But then Bruton stuck after Galway goalkeeper Robert Forde had failed to hold Declan McGregor's shot to spark off wild celebrations at St Colman's Park.
Earlier in the game, Galway had taken the lead when Derek O'Brien hammered home the opening goal of the game after Cobh defender Gareth O'Donovan had inadvertently directed the ball into the wingers path.
From then on, Cobh dominated the game and they should have been level in the 25th minute when Bruton was hauled down in the box giving McGregor a great chance from the penalty spot. However, Forde saved the penalty with Bruton blasting the rebound over with the goal at his mercy.
But Bruton made amends with 18 minutes of the game remaining when he steered home Mark Clifford's throughball and when Galway's Mike Keane was sent off with five minutes remaining, it set up the grandstand finish.
Teams:
Cobh Ramblers: Slattery, Hastings, White, Hill, O'Donovan, Brosnan, Clifford, Yelverton, McGregor, Bruton, Kabia.
Subs: Coker for Yelverton (72 mins)
