Just 12 months after having to apply for re-election, Monaghan United snatched the second promotion place on a dramatic final night of action in the First Division on Saturday evening.
Bobby Browne's side went to Hogan Park and beat a very much weakened Limerick FC 20 with goals from Peter Rogers, a 52nd minute penalty, and a header from John Carroll 11 minutes later.
Athlone Town, who led the league for 23 weeks and were never out of the top two prior to the final game, had to content themselves with the play-off spot after a 0-0 draw at home to Waterford United.
In a tense game either side might have won it late on; both goalkeepers making great stops in the dying minutes. Athlone now meet UCD in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off at St Mel's Park on Tuesday night with the return at Belfield next Friday.
Sligo Rovers were the big losers on the night. As it transpired, a win would have been enough for Tommy Cassidy's side to clinch the play-off spot but they crashed spectacularly 4-1 at Home Farm/Fingal and also had two players sent off.
Richie Parson scored his 100th league goal from a 46th minute penalty to give Home Farm the lead.
Sligo goalkeeper, Danny O'Leary, who had committed the foul for the first spot kick, repeated the indiscretion again on 75 minutes when pulling down Alban Hysa and was duly sent-off before Paul Crowley shot past reserve goalkeeper Brendan Egan.
Chris O'Donnell then rowed in with two goals on 81 and 86 minutes to kill off Rovers. In between, Sligo midfielder Steve Birks was also sent off.
Ian Gilzean got Rovers' consolation goal in the final minute.
Meanwhile, at St Colman's Park, Dundalk were presented with the First Division championship trophy after losing 2-0 to Cobh Ramblers, the goals coming early and late from Declan McGregor.
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