Waterford Utd - 1 Drogheda Utd - 0: Despite going down to a Dave Mulcahy goal, Drogheda United were still celebrating at the RSC last night because, with the league title going to Cork City, the FAI Cup finalists are guaranteed a Uefa Cup place.

The goal arrived on 77 minutes in a typical end-of-season game that rarely sparkled. Kevin Waters crossed from the right after receiving the ball from Pat Purcell and Mulcahy climbed above the defence to head home from close range.

The most important passage of play in the first half ended with Paul Crowley hammering a penalty kick off the Drogheda crossbar on 32 minutes.

Seán Finn lofted a beautifully weighted ball to the in-rushing Waters and he was impeded on the edge of the area by goalkeeper Gary Rogers, who received a yellow card.

Drogheda managed two serious attempts on goal in the first period. Mark Rooney dispossessed Purcell in front of goal on 22 minutes, but his shot was well saved by Packie Holden. A minute later, Keith Fahey's low drive was wide of the near post.

Drogheda put the Blues under pressure from the restart and forced a free on the edge of the area on 51 minutes, but Fahey's dipping shot shaved the topside of the crossbar.

The visitors were fortunate to survive a goalmouth melee four minutes later after John Lester powered the ball into a crowded area - Damien Lynch finally got the ball away under pressure from Mulcahy.

WATERFORD UNITED: Holden; Andrews, Finn, Mulcahy, Doherty, Purcell, Crowley, Grant , Sullivan, Waters , Lester. Subs: Kavanagh for Grant (73), McCarthy for Sullivan (88), Browne for Waters (92), Not used: Hayes, Dunphy.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Rogers; Lynch, Webb, Tyrell, Gavin, Keegan, Sullivan, Fahey, Rooney, Malcolm, Bernard. Sub: Leech for Malcolm (h-t). Not used: O'Brien, Ristila, Whelan, Connor.

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork).