Waterford FC are one step away from League Of Ireland Premier Division football after an extra-time victory in a thrilling promotion play-off contest against Cobh Ramblers.
Giles Phillips scored an extra-time winner after a spectacular Matthew McKevitt overhead kick had forced extra-time for Cobh.
Keith Long's side will now face off against Cork City at Tallaght Stadium (7.45pm) to determine who will be playing in the top flight of Irish football in 2024.
It was the Blues who commenced on the front foot, with Roland Idowu blasting wide after being picked out by Romeo Akachukwu in the ninth minute.
Ramblers have been a side totally transformed in 2023 under the management of Shane Keegan and the East Cork side held their shape and were well organised during the opening half.
Cobh went close on 24 minutes when Brendan Frahill headed just wide from a Mikie Rowe free kick and had a shout for a penalty on 35 minutes when the ball appeared to hit the hand of Waterford defender Ryan Burke from a Wilson Waweru cross.
With 34 league goals to his name, Ronan Coughlan has been a scoring machine for Waterford this term but he missed a golden chance on 42 minutes to give his side the lead after misfiring from a few yards out from a Connor Parsons ball across.
The second half was only one minute old when Waterford went into the lead. Racing onto the end of a long ball forward by Barry Baggley, Coughlan did well to maintain his composure and slot home confidently to the back of the net.
📽️ | It was the ideal start to the second half...
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 4, 2023
Check out Ronan Coughlan's Play-Off Final opener ⚽#LOI | #WATCOB pic.twitter.com/Sp6IDzh3Zk
Ramblers almost equalised in spectacular fashion a few moments later, as a powerful long-range effort from James O'Leary was tipped over impressively by Waterford goalkeeper Sam Sargeant.
Derik Osede then threatened for Waterford with his header testing Lee Steacy in the Cobh goal. While in the 64th minute a driving run and shot by Darragh Power was saved.
With less than 20 minutes to go, Waterford went close again when an Akachukwu shot deflected into the path of Coughlan, who fired narrowly wide of the target.
Coughlan then on 77 minutes forced a fine save out of Ramblers shot stopper Steacy through a powerful drive.
It appeared as though all hope for Cobh was evaporating. However Ramblers equalised on 88 minutes. Following a goalmouth scramble, the ball was eventually put into the net through a bicycle kick by McKevitt that went off the underside of the crossbar.
📽️ | Football, eh?
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 4, 2023
Matt McKevitt kept Cobh Ramblers' season alive in style 🚲#LOI | #WATCOB pic.twitter.com/LMKelmPedw
During a thrilling period of extra time, Ramblers had two great early chances as Waweru fired wide from a great position in the box. While Jack Doherty showed slick footwork to create space before shooting narrowly wide. Alec Byrne then had another great chance to put Cobh ahead which was saved.
At the other end, Dean McMenamy had a great chance as he got on the end of a Darragh Power cross, but Steacy was to save brilliantly. In the 100th minute, Waterford went back in front as Phillips headed in powerfully from a corner kick.
Jack Doherty went close with a well taken free kick for Cobh late on but it is Waterford who progress into a date with destiny against Cork next weekend.
Waterford FC: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Giles Phillips, Derik Osede, , Ryan Burke; , Rowan McDonald (Dean McMenamy, 90 +1) , Barry Baggley; Roland Idowu (Shane Griffin, 73) , Romeo Akachukwu(Niall O’Keeffe, 82) , Connor Parsons (Cameron Cresswell, 97) ;Ronan Coughlan.
Cobh Ramblers: Lee Steacy; Cian Browne, Charlie Lyons, Brendan Frahill, Justin Eguaibor(Matthew McKevitt, 77) ; Jason Abbott (Luke Desmond, 81) , Pierce Phillips (Dale Holland,81 ) ; Mikie Rowe (Alec Byrne, 81) Jack Doherty , James O’Leary (Tiernan O’Brien, 70) ; Wilson Waweru(Adrian Thibaut, 117) .
Referee: David Dunne
