Waterford United are the new champions of the eircom First Division following Galway United's comprehensive 3-0 win over Finn Harps at Terryland Park this evening. Second placed Harps could have caught leaders Waterford if they won their remaining three games, but defeat tonight means United are uncatchable.
Galway's win, with goals from Alan Murphy (2) and Colin Fortune, guarantees their place in the end of season play-offs, where they will meet Harps again. They move above the Ballybofey men into second, although Harps do have a game in hand.
Meanwhile, Sligo Rovers kept alive their slim hopes of clinching the final promotion play-off spot with a thrilling 3-2 win over Cobh Ramblers at The Showgrounds. Stephen Yelverton opened the scoring for Cobh on 27 minutes, but Ian Rossiter atoned for an earlier penalty miss when he equalised before the break.
Sligo's Gerry Carr (61) and Cobh's Willie Bruton (69) scored either side of Andy Noonan's sending-off for Cobh, but top scorer Paul McTiernan gave Rovers a priceless win with his 76th minute effort.
Rovers can finish fourth if they win their final game against Harps in Ballybofey next week and Cobh, currently in fourth, fail to beat Galway. League newcomers Kildare County could also sneak into contention if they win their final two games and Cobh and Sligo slip-up.
Kildare's game this evening with Dublin City was called-off due to a waterlogged pitch in Newbridge, as was Longford's Premier Division clash with Bohemians at Flancare Park.
Filed by Shane Murray
