Bohemians avoided a hugely damaging defeat at Mounthawk Park as they progressed to the Sports Direct FAI Cup quarter-finals on penalties against a brave Kerry FC side.
An eventful match finished 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes with Bohs unable to break down the First Division side during extra-time.
In a very entertaining game in front of 1,110 fans, Bohemians started the brighter and were ahead on 22 minutes.
James Clarke took advantage of a deflection when Ronan Teahan attempted to clear a corner with the former Drogheda United man heading home from six yards out.
Rather than Bohs going on to dominate the game, it was the home side that took the initiative, winning a series of set-pieces that began to cause the Premier Division side problems.
Left-back Sean O'Connell showed his class on the ball with a number of dribbles and he began the attack which lead to the equaliser.
Shamrock Rovers loanee Cian Barrett then found Ryan Kelliher at the back post. While there was suspicions of offside, the goal stood much to the joy of the majority of supproters in Tralee.
Parity last just two minutes, however, as New Zealander Grieve bagged his first Gypsies goal.
James Clarke crossed to the back post for Dayle Rooney to shoot.
Rooney’s effort ended up being a cross and scuffed it directly to Grieve to convert with his head.
The Bohs advantage at half-time was soon gone as a mistake by Kacper Chorazka allowed Kerry in early in the second period.
Kelliher dispossessed the goalkeeper as he was about to clear the ball, turned and fire into the empty net.
The visitors felt their man was fouled but the goal was given.
The introduction of James Akintunde gave Bohs more of a threat in attack for the final 30 minutes.
However their inability to convert chances – something which has cost the Gyspsies throughout the season – saw their supporters grow in frustration as the 90 minutes came to an end.
Ross Tierney, Liam Smith, Leigh Kavanagh and Jevon Mills all came close in the two extra-time periods, with Aaron O’Sullivan superb in the Kerry net.
The shock was on the cards as the shootout began.
Fatigue was evident in some of the spot-kicks however as Kennedy Amechi saw his effort saved by Chorazka and Cian Barrett blazed his shot over the crossbar.
Declan McDaid ensured a 4-2 shootout win for Bohs as they scored all of their penalties to book their place in Tuesday’s quarter-final draw.
Defeat would have been disastrous for Alan Reynolds and his side given their poor league form and attention will turn to salvaging their league season before the FAI Cup returns in September.
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