So it's UCD, Waterford or Galway United as the tenth top-tier SSE Airtricity League Premier Division team next season after a flattering but deserved 3-0 win for United against Longford Town in the second leg of their play-off semi-final at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Late goals from substitutes Mikey Rowe and Rob Manley eased the pressure on the home side, who went ahead midway through the first half through David Hurley, and absorbed much pressure but always looked like hurting a shaky Longford defence.
For John Caulfield, now in his third year of play-offs with United, this was a massive win, and the Tribesmen will be problematic for Waterford, albeit second-favourites, in a clash of styles in the First Division play-off final.
A throbbing Terryland, over 3,000 in attendance, basked in the balmy weather, and United will gain lots of belief from this after their title challenge ran aground some weeks ago.
It was a cagey opening on a pitch that had action on Saturday and heavy rain but was holding up really well. Top scorer Stephen Walsh's header on 11 minutes from a United corner was headed off the line, but Longford looked threatening on the break.
Darren Clarke, a brother of the classy Trevor, caused havoc in the first leg and his teasing cross on 18 minutes saw Killian Brouder seemingly handle on the ground; United got away with it.
Ex-United frontman Jordan Adeyemo also created misery for his old club in the first leg and he teed up Mark Hanratty for a great chance but he dragged his shot wide.
Havoc created a United goal in the first leg too, a throw in from Brouder, and the same was the case 24 minutes in for United's opener, with Hurley, who excelled on the Strokestown Road, hooking home via a Luke Dennison parry, Brouder apt to celebrate his part in it all.
Another long through ball from Brouder had Town struggling on the half-hour, Bastien Hery, recalled to the home side, seeing his snap shot gathered by Dennison.
The emerging Clarke already had two United players booked 32 minutes in; they had been warned Wednesday but seemed unable to cope.
Walsh was only thrown up front earlier in the season, the number three on his back an anomaly, and he looked for a penalty on 38 minutes, Mick McDonnell struggling with his presence.
O'Keeffe was winning the battle with Clarke towards the end of the half but Town had fair claims for a penalty at the death when Adeyemo tangled with Brouder; certainly, the away fans felt it was a penalty.
United really should have doubled their lead early in the second half. Walsh, ever a handful, teed up half-time substitute Rowe. He scored twice in the first leg but couldn't make the most of an opportunity that could have put Longford somewhat out of sight, Dennison making a fine save.
Brouder looked set to put United 2-0 up from a beautiful Hurley corner but again Dennison was equal to it, the home side really gaining the momentum.
Town remained a threat and Conor Kearns had to react well to an Aaron Robinson strike at the edge of the box after Dean McMenamy and Joe Power combined well on the left.
A sublime Hurley delivery was asking for contact midway through the half and somehow Brouder missed, Dennison making a point-blank save.
Adeyemo remained a constant nuisance against his former employers, twice threatening to equalise, before United made sure of the points in the 90th minute. Hemmings' hopeful cross was headed across by Walsh and Rowe connected beautifully with the outside of his right foot.
The icing would be another substitute, Manley, connecting with Hemmings' cross as time ran out. United now face Waterford Friday at the Markets Field.
Galway United: Kearns; Hemmings, Finnerty, Brouder, O'Keeffe; Hery (Rowe 46, Manning 90), McCormack, Thomas (Lyons 90), Hurley (Manley 82), McCarthy; Walsh.
Longford Town: Dennison; Elworthy, McDonnell, Barker, Lynch (Corbally 56); Clarke (Magerusan 85), McMenamy (S Verdon 78), Robinson, Power, Hanratty; Adeyemo.
Referee: Damien MacGraith.
