Shamrock Rovers saw the door close on one European adventure, but another quickly opens In Istanbul tomorrow
Even though Tallaght was a near sell-out of 7,163, nobody believed that the Hoops would launch a comeback from 4-0 down to stay afloat in the Europa League proper.
Yet they were full value for a superb victory on the night and go into today’s Conference League group stage draw as third seeds, rather than fourth.
Preserving their 100% home record in Europe this season was significant too.
Having fought the good fight with UEFA to get their group stage games played here rather than Aviva Stadium, it was important to maintain that momentum.
Andy Lyons saw to that with a brilliant bullet header in the 89th minute from a Jack Byrne corner as the two substitutes combined.
And that collective sense of purpose in their own backyard will serve as a major warning to Rovers’ Conference League rivals - who could include West Ham.
Rovers have designs on being more than just group stage competitors - they want to be contenders.
And the confidence gained from their four home wins in Europe is a sweet platform from which to launch a sustained assault.
The Hoops had already secured a significant win before the full-time whistle - from across the other side of Europe.
Sheriff’s madcap penalty shootout win over Pyunik in Moldova has guaranteed Stephen Bradley’s side third seed status in the draw, rather than fourth.
And with €500,000 up for grabs for each group stage win and €166,000 for a draw, that’s not to be sniffed at.
Sure, Hungarian giants Ferencvaros didn’t have to force the issue here. They just needed to keep their head, having blitzed the Hoops a week ago.
But showing five changes from Budapest, with Sunday’s FAI Cup clash in Drogheda in mind, Rovers had nothing to lose.
Officially a sellout with the majority of tickets flogged before the first leg, the atmosphere wasn’t what it could have been early on, but the 4-0 deficit saw to that.
Armed with their sizable advantage, Ferencvaros didn’t need to come out to play but did in the opening exchanges with Moroccan ace Ryan Mmaee their dangerman again.
But after weathering that early storm, Rovers settled and dominated the majority of a dull opening half in which teenager Justin Ferizaj was the star of the show.
On just his second start for the Hoops, the 17-year-old was always a threat, beit threading balls in and around the box or taking chances of his own.
His 27th minute effort, following a sweeping move from the far side of the pitch to near, deserved to be rewarded but there just wasn’t enough bend at the vital moment.
But man-of-the-match Ferizaj offered Rovers so much on the front foot and his vision when looking to play others into threatening positions was top notch.
A goal would have sparked Tallaght into life, but Richie Towell couldn’t get close enough to Aidomo Emakhu’s ball across the six yard box from out wide.
And Emakhu’s flick at goal from a Sean Kavanagh ball soon after was never going to threaten the former Liverpool goalkeeper Adam Bogdan.
Ferencvaros kept their own attacks to a minimum and generally Lee Grace and Sean Hoare had their measure.
But Alan Mannus - so impressive in European action this summer - still had to make the save of the half when parrying Mmaee’s header from point blank range.
Still, Rovers had plenty about them after the break and fans momentarily thought that Emakhu had won a penalty.
The French referee correctly judged that Anderson Esiti had clipped the young striker on the edge of the area.
But Bogdan had to be at his best to keep out Kavaagh’s free and the Hoops ace then teed up Towell moments later but with the South Stand rising, blazed over close in.
But Tallaght was finding it’s voice. And although Ferencvaros caused moments of panic in the Rovers rearguard, the Hoops still looked the more likely to score.
Byrne’s arrival off the bench was the catalyst for their late spurt and Bodgan denied Lyons when the Ireland international slipped him in.
From a Byrne free kick moments later, Neil Farrugia had his head in his hands as his goal-bound shot deflected for a corner.
But Lyons wouldn’t be denied and in the 89th minute, from Byrne’s corner, he ran across goal and buried a brilliant header to win the game if not the tie.
The Hoops preserved their exceptional 100% home record in Europe this summer as they continue to lay solid building blocks for what’s still to come.
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