1 JOHNNY MAKES A POINT IN TALLAGHT

SHAMROCK ROVERS came into this game missing 10 players - and left it missing nearly as many chances.

And yet frustration gave way to relief late on, as the Hoops were able to celebrate a Johnny Kenny goal (above), scored six minutes from the end, at a time when a defeat seemed inevitable.

Late goals have become their speciality.

Rovers profited from another one here when Kenny, a second half substitute, rose above the Galway defence to power a header beyond Brendan Clarke.

Cue an explosion of noise from the majority of the 5,629 fans inside Tallaght.

Galway came here as huge underdogs, and opted to go with a 4-5-1 system, narrowing their defence to ensure they had plenty of cover in the areas they needed it most.

Rovers knew they had to respect Galway’s threat on the counter. And they did.

Even so, as the first half progressed, they began to advance deeper and deeper into Galwegian territory, frequently posting all 10 of their outfield players into the

Galway half, carving open a chance here and there.

Darragh Nugent had one but he blazed over.

Darragh Burns had another – his effort was also off target.

Half-time arrived and the only question on anyone’s lips was when would the opening goal arrive?

The answer, it seemed, would be on 47 minutes 52 seconds, when Rovers forced a penalty for a handball by Jeannot Esua.

Up stepped Dylan Watts. Brendan Clarke’s save – diving low to his right – was the best of the season so far.

That’s the sort of thing that gives a team oxygen.

And Galway were breathing even easier when they took the lead on 54 minutes.

It came from an Ed Mccarthy flick, which sent Stephen Walsh (inset) clear on goal. His low shot went past Leon Pohls.

Now while you cannot ignore the fact that Rovers were without all those key players, you cannot overlook the brilliance and bravery of Galway’s defending.

They earned this point the hard way.

Then again, nothing ever has come easy for them here.