The Blues have one more bite of the cherry if they are to play Premier Division football in 2024.
A frantic night in Turners Cross saw them secure their place in the Promotion/Relegation final with Cork City, beating Cobh Ramblers 2-1 after extra time.
The game began with a real intensity as both sides sought to make inroads and quite one another's supporters. After 20 minutes the toll was visible with the game finding a more normal pace up until the halftime break.
It was star striker Ronan Coughlan who found the net first, who took a pass from Barry Baggley before firing home past Lee Steacy.
Keith Long's charges held firm until 10 minutes from time when Matt McKevitt equalised with an overhead kick to send the game to extra time.
Long thought that they could have had the game sown up in regular time if they had been able to put away the chances on offer.
"We know what Cobh are. They're so organised, they're well coached and very honest group of players. But we had chances to win the game. Lee Steacy pulled off a couple of good saves, and our goalkeeper pulled off a few good saves too. We should have won the game in 90 minutes. We've won it in extra time, effectively we've had to win the game twice and we're pleased that were through to the promotion/relegation game."
The game was played in difficult conditions, following the rain that had fallen during the week. The referee was busy on the night brandishing 15 yellow cards with Long noting that "looking at the condition of the pitch there's bound to be yellow cards."
Long praised his players for sticking to the task against a battling Cobh team, "I thought we'd played most of the football. I thought we were the dominant side and it would have been a travesty had we not gone through."
In extra time, both sides threw everything at the other as they fought to decide the tie without the need for penalties.
With the result in the balance, Captain Gilles Philips took the game by the scruff of the neck when he rose highest to meet a Shane Griffin corner, heading it to the back of the net to an explosion from the traveling Blues supporters.
Now they march on to Tallaght Stadium on Friday, November 10th where they meet Cork City who hope to extend their stay in the Premier Division.
That game will be live on WLR thanks to McConnels Toyota Waterford from 7.30 pm (Friday, Nov 10th).
