Promotion Play-off: Galway United -v- Longford Town - where can I watch it and what do I need to know?

A chance to play-off for a place in the Premier Division is at stake as Galway United face off in a winner-takes-all game at the UCD Bowl.

John Caulfield’s Galway United, who only reached the play-offs thanks to a late arbitration decision, face Daire Doyle’s Longford Town in neutral territory.

The Tribesmen reached this stage by virtue of a 1-0 win at Bray Wanderers last Saturday, substitute Wilson Waweru netting a late winner.

Longford, too, left it late in their battle with UCD on the same night as they were taken all the way to the dying minutes of extra time.

Longford twice came from behind to level, Joe Gorman cancelling out Colm Whelan’s opener in normal and again levelling up following Yoyo Mahdy’s extra-time strike.

Dean Byrne netted a spectacular goal from the edge of the box just as penalties seemed inevitable, and Longford will hope the Belfield venue witnesses similar jubilation on Friday night.

What time is the match?

Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Where is the match?

UCD Bowl, Dublin.

Who is the referee?

Mark Moynihan.

Are there tickets available?

No, the game is behind closed doors.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown live in the FAI’s Youtube channel.

Who are they key players to watch?

Winger Mikey Place was a second-half substitute in the semi-final win over Bray Wanderers and his introduction brought pace and trickery to the Galway attack.

The former Finn Harps man has only notched three goals this season but in a team that concedes few goals the little bit extra might be all John Caulfield’s side need.

Goals win games and, in Rob Manley, Longford have one of the league’s most consistent scorers over the past two seasons.

With nine goals, Manley is the midlanders’ top scorer this season and his strength, pace and poacher’s instincts he will be central to everything Longford do.

Team news:

Josh Smith, Conor Melody and Donal Higgins miss out for Galway but the biggest absence will be Stephen Christopher, who set the winner in Bray in motion, with suspension.

Longford are missing goalscoring midfielder Sam Verdon and Thomas McLaughlin but Daire Doyle has an otherwise full deck.

Read Andrew Dempsey’s match preview here.

Betting:

Galway United 8/5; Draw 13/5; Longford Town 8/5.