First Division play-offs: Final day permutations as trio battle for top-five finish

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The League of Ireland First Division league season is coming to an end on Friday night but there is still a bit to play for

While Galway United wrapped up the league title last month, there is still the small matter of a final play-off place to decide.

Fifth-placed Athlone Town are nervously looking over their shoulders with Treaty United and Bray Wanderers behind them in the race for the last available spot.

The Westmeath side have lost their last four games on the trot.

Meanwhile, Waterford, Cobh Ramblers and Wexford have already secured their place in the play-off series.

With the order of second, third and fourth place already decided, Cobh will face Wexford in a two-legged play-off tie that starts next week. But Waterford must wait to learn who they play in their first play-off tie.

Before we start into the fine details of who needs what results to go their way, Athlone sit in fifth place on 46 points. 

Treaty United are in sixth on 44 points with Bray in seventh on 43 points.

And the relevant final day fixtures consist of Athlone Town v Longford Town, Waterford v Treaty United and Bray Wanderers v Finn Harps. But Athlone are the only side in control of their own destiny.



What happens if Athlone win?

If Athlone WIN against local rivals Longford Town on the final day, they will be guaranteed a top-five finish regardless of Treaty United or Bray Wanderers’ final day results.

That’s the very simple permutation and it will be the result that everyone involved with Athlone will be craving. 

Any win will do.

What happens if Athlone Town draw?



If they DRAW, Athlone require a slip-up of sorts from Treaty United.

But this is where Athlone's superior goal difference comes in handy. Dario Castelo’s side have a scoring difference of -6 with Treaty’s at -10.

So in the case of the Town picking up a point against Longford, they need the Shannonsiders to not overturn that scoring difference if they claim three points against Waterford.

But that goes without saying, anything less than a Treaty United win at the RSC – they have never won at the venue before in a league game – means an Athlone draw would see them finish fifth.

And what if Athlone Town lose?

If Athlone Town LOSE, they need Waterford to avoid defeat against Treaty.

But if Treaty win and Athlone lose, Tommy Barrett’s side would reach the play-offs for the third year in a row.

OR if Treaty fail to win against Keith Long’s Blues AND Athlone Town lose against Longford Town, Bray Wanderers could sneak in – mathematically at least.

The Seagulls can only finish fifth if they defeat Harps and overturn an eight-goal scoring difference deficit, as unlikely as it sounds. 

Castelo’s men sit on -6 while Bray lie on -14. Let the games commence.

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