Galway United have been handed a last-minute place in the First Division playoffs after Wexford had an appeal over a player's eligibility upheld.

Earlier this month, Wexford were found guilty by the FAI's Appeal Committee of fielding an ineligible player (Ola Adeyemo) in four First Division games.

Those matches were subsequently awarded as 3-0 wins for the respective opponents - Athlone Town, Cabinteely, Shamrock Rovers II and Cobh Ramblers.

Wexford said at the time that they were "astounded" by the judgement. They claimed the eligibility mix-up was down to an administrative error on the FAI's behalf.

When the regular season finished on Tuesday night, Cabinteely's points total handed them 5th place and the last of the places in the playoffs.

Galway's final night 2-2 draw with UCD saw them miss out.

An Independent Arbitrator heard Wexford's case on Wednesday morning, and ruled in their favour, reinstating the original results of the four games.

That means Galway leapfrog Cabinteely into 5th place in the First Division, and John Caulfield's side will play Bray Wanderers in Saturday's semi-final.

The other game will pit UCD against Longford Town.

FAI statement: 

The Football Association of Ireland has today been informed of the decision of the Independent Arbitrator to uphold the appeal of Wexford FC regarding the eligibility of a Wexford FC player. 

The Independent Arbitrator has ruled that the results on the field of play in the four games involving the player in question stand. Wexford FC and their opponents will now retain the points gained on the field of play from their First Division fixtures against Athlone Town, Cabinteely FC, Shamrock Rovers II and Cobh Ramblers.

Galway United will now play Bray Wanderers in the First Division Play-Off Semi-Final on Saturday.