By Glenn Mason at White Hart Lane
Tottenham rattled in three goals in the space of five minutes as they came from behind to beat Shamrock Rovers in this Europa League Group A match.
But Stephen Rice earned a place in Rovers folklore by giving them a shock lead at White Hart Lane.
Rice's close-range flick from Pat Sullivan's shot flew past Carlo Cudicini to the delight of the away fans just after the break.
However, Rovers' dream of victory lasted just ten minutes as two quick headers from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe put Spurs ahead.
Giovanni dos Santos completed the turnaround when he slotted home a third after a Defoe run.
The 2,500 Rovers fans urged their side on from before kick-off to after the final whistle. They will have sore throats, and maybe sore heads, in the morning but they take away a memory to last a lifetime.
There is usually little glory in defeat, but the Rovers players left the pitch with their reputations enhanced and many points proved.
This was the glamour tie of the six games Rovers have in the group stages of the Europa League, although some of that glamour remained in reserve as Harry Redknapp kept Gareth Bale and Luka Modric on the bench.
Spurs were short several top names but they still fielded a side full of quality young players and internationals, including Aaron Lennon, Defoe and Pavlyuchenko.
Michael O'Neill opted for experience at the back as Jim Paterson was surprisingly chosen ahead of Enda Stevens at left-back.
To counter the pace of Spurs' wingers, Billy Dennehy and Gary McCabe started out wide for the Hoops. Ronan Finn and Stephen O'Donnell's ability on the ball saw them play in front of Rice in the midfield three.
The nerves of previous European games were not evident as Rovers relaxed and got on the ball early, with McCabe and Dennehy pushing on from their defensive work to support Gary Twigg.
The home side were a constant danger once they settled and could have been well ahead at the break but for second-choice keeper Richard Brush.
Corluka disrupted a Rovers attack and broke out of defence to feed Giovanni. The tricky Mexican found Defoe in space but Brush spread himself to deflect the shot onto the bar.
Moments later, Brush denied Pavlyuchenko with an equally impressive block after the Russian had twisted and turned away from Sives.
The visitors' goal was leading a charmed life as the speed and movement of the home side caused all sorts of problems.
Danny Rose's looping shot came back off the bar and then Dan Murray blocked Sébastien Bassong's rebound with his face.
O'Donnell stopped Pavlyuchenko's header on the line, before the Russian striker drove wide after Defoe had charged down Brush's clearance.
The Hoops fans cheered the half-time whistle like a victory in recognition of their players, who had kept Spurs out through brave defending, great goalkeeping and a little luck.
Both sides made changes at half-time as Rovers brought on Stevens and Conor McCormack for Paterson and O'Donnell. Redknapp unleashed exciting youngster Andros Townsend in place of Aaron Lennon.
Rice stunned most of this famous old ground and sent the visiting fans delirious with his dramatic intervention on 49 minutes.
McCabe's free-kick was only parried away to the edge of the box, where it was met by the onrushing Sullivan. His drive was heading back into Cudicini's grasp when Rice diverted it into the net.
Spurs were initially shell-shocked but poured forward thereafter and were back on level terms within ten minutes.
Pavlyuchenko burst Rovers' bubble when he drifted away from Murray and met Giovanni's cross to power a header past Brush.
Before Rovers had time to gather their breath they were behind, as Defoe stepped in front of Stevens to nod in Townsend's cross. Cue relief in three quarters of White Hart Lane.
The third was not long in coming as the incessant pressure and Spurs' class paid off, but Rovers will complain about a late challenge on Sullivan from Rose in the build-up.
Defoe broke at speed, skipped inside McCormack's challenge and slipped in Giovanni for an emphatic finish.
Former Spurs midfielder Rohan Ricketts was introduced for the last 18 minutes to applause from both sets of fans. Spurred on by the noise coming from the South Stand, Rovers pushed on again.
Sullivan burst forward but his left-footed shot was not as impressive as the one that led to Rice's goal and the ball flew well over. Dennehy then tried his luck with a dipping effort that swerved narrowly wide.
Brush denied Spurs a fourth through Giovanni, which would have flattered Spurs despite their dominance.
As the clock ticked down the Spurs fans headed for the exits, but the Hoops fans remained in full voice in recognition of the efforts their players had made.
They will not have much time to reflect on the performance as Drogheda United are next up on Sunday afternoon in the battle for the Premier Division title.
Tottenham Hotspur: 1 Cudicini, 28 Walker, 22 Corluka, 19 Bassong, 25 Rose (37 Kane '80); 7 Lennon (31 Townsend h/t) 46 Carroll, 29 Livermore, 17 Dos Santos; 18 Defoe (27 Falque '73), 9 Pavlyuchenko.
Subs not used: 1 Gomes, 3 Bale, 4 Kaboul, 14 Modric.
Shamrock Rovers: 1 Brush; 2 Sullivan, 4 Sives, 5 Murray, 26 Paterson (3 Stevens h/t); 7 McCabe, 6 Rice, 8 O'Donnell (22 McCormack h/t), 21 Finn (27 Ricketts '73), 20 Dennehy; 9 Twigg.
Subs not used: 16 Thompson, 10 Sheppard, 11 Kilduff, 18 Turner.
Booked: McCabe.
Referee: Gediminas Mazeika.
