Shamrock Rovers left it late to grab a crucial 2-1 victory over Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park.
Both teams came into the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division encounter level on points with European ambitions balanced on a knife-edge.
And it was the reigning top-flight champions who went home happier on a crisp evening in the west.
From the get-go, it was apparent the away outfit would dominate possession while the home side were content to search for counter-attacking opportunities.
And thanks to a dispossession in the middle of the park early on, Patrick Hickey, who was recently named SSE Airtricity/Soccer Writers Ireland Player of the Month, had the first shot on target in the match but Leon Pohls was equal to the effort.
The following 20 minutes saw Rovers grasp a foothold in the game with clear-cut chances falling the way of Roberto Lopes and striker Marc McNulty - the player who scored the opening goal in the 20th minute - and his first for the club.
The one-time Scottish international, who could have found the net at least two times before the break, latched onto a loose ball in the box to fire Rovers in front.
As the Tallaght club continued to look comfortable in proceedings, a life-line came the way of United when Daniel Cleary was adjudged to have handled the ball in the penalty area after good work by United winger Edward McCarthy.
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Captain Conor McCormack, on his 120th appearance for the Tribesmen, stepped up to the spot and sent Pohls the wrong way to level the game in the 32nd minute.
John Caulfield's team gained confidence thanks to the equaliser and materialised more progressive attacks - increasing pressure on the Rovers backline.
The second half saw limited opportunities arrive at either end of the pitch until the latter stages of proceedings.
Following a period of Rovers possession, the all-important goal came in the 84th minute when substitute Johnny Kenny chased a long ball in behind the United backline as Garry Buckley’s attempted clearance looped over Brendan Clarke and into the goal.
Disaster for Garry Buckley. Shamrock Rovers lead late on.#LOITV | #GALSHA pic.twitter.com/RavPO4GrZE
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) September 16, 2024
The Tribesmen pressed for a leveller before the final whistle, with a last-gasp chance falling to Bobby Burns, but Rovers held on to take all three points back to Tallaght.
Galway United: Clarke; Brouder, Walsh, Cunnigham, Hickey; Borden (Hurley 72), Keohane, McCormack (O’Keeffe 72), McCarthy (Slevin 89), Buckley; Esua (Horgan 12 / Burns 89).
Shamrock Rovers: Pohls; Honohan (Grace 80), Hoare (Clarke 75), Lopes, Cleary; Watts, O’Neill (Burns 80), Towell (Kenny 65), Farrugia, Byrne; McNulty (Mandroiu 65).
Referee: Neil Doyle.
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