Waterford FC and Bray Wanderers will fight it out for the final place in the 2026 Premier Division at Tolka Park tonight.
The promotion/relegation play-off brings the side which finishes ninth in the top flight and the First Division club emerging from a four-team tournament at the end of the regular campaign.
The Seagulls never looked like mounting a genuine title challenge over the course of the year, with this match their real target for most the year.
A 5-0 drubbing against Finn Harps in March had threatened to derail their season, but Paul Heffernan's youthful side improved in the summer months.
They come into this clash on a high after their late victory over Treaty United in the First Division final.
The mood is not as good for the Blues. They came up short on the last night of the Premier Division season in what a proved to be a shootout with Galway United.
The second half of the season was a tale of woe for the Munster side having gone from potential European challengers to slide dramatically down the table.
An 11-point advantage over Sligo Rovers slowly slipped away and as Galway picked up a couple of victories, the destination of the play-off was reached when a draw was enough for the Tribesmen last Saturday.
Interim boss Matt Lawlor is in his second spell in charge and has certainly achieved an improvement in performances.
They are largely irrelevant at this point in the season – and certainly tonight – when all that counts is the winner.
Wanderers have some experience of this situation having been defeated by FAI Cup winners Drogheda United in Tallaght Stadium.
The Boynesiders had all the momentum in that fixture of the back off their triumph in the Aviva Stadium.
The scenario is different tonight and arguably presents a bigger chance of an upset.
Waterford will certainly be considered favourites, but with the stakes so high, anything can happen.
The Wicklow club have not featured in the Premier Division since the 2018 campaign.
"The players deserve all the credit," head coach Paul Heffernan said.
"They have been brilliant all season long and have really shown in the three play-off games not only their quality, but how hungry and desperate they are to get this club promoted.
"We know we must go and perform at an even higher level to try get past Waterford."
Over 2,000 fans were present in the Carlisle Grounds for their semi-final clash with UCD, something Heffernan hopes can be tapped into in Drumcondra.
"The support will play a massive part in Tolka Park on Friday night as they have done the last few weeks. We need them to bring the energy, bring the noise and give these players the support they deserve for one last time this season."
Justin Ferizaj take a bow! 👏
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) November 2, 2025
An unbelievable finish on the 90 minute mark which looks to be the enough to send Bray Wanderers into the Relegation/Promotion Play-off final! pic.twitter.com/L0LQWGY07b
Star youngster Billy O'Neill is available again after serving a suspension, while midfielder Jamie Ryan remains out with a shoulder problem.
The Blues were last relegated in 2021 and while they immediately bounced back through a play-off the following season, defeat tonight would be disastrous.
A new manager must be appointed with Lawlor unable to commit due to family reasons. He is part of the staff at parent club Fleetwood Town.
They will look to talisman Padraig Amond, who won the golden boot at the age of 37, with 14 goals.
Lawlor has promised his side will not underestimate Bray: "We’re pleased at how we’ve trained this week – we’re not pleased that we’re in this week because ultimately that means the season has led us to this point – but the mood’s been good.
"We’ve made the lads aware that Bray are a good team. We watched the game against Treaty. Some of our lads have played with the likes of Killian Cantwell and Harvey Warren, and Sean Brennan who was at Shamrock Rovers with Conan Noonan.
"It’s a final so nerves will be there for both sides. The fans will be a massive help right behind us, and hopefully in loud spirits too."
Extra-time and penalties will be played if needed. Kick-off is 7.45pm
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