Kyle Robinson's early goal sent Drogheda United through to the quarter finals of the FAI Cup at the expense of Kerry FC on a historic night in the Kingdom.
The league newcomers' reward for beating non-league Ringmahon Rovers in the first round was a first ever clash with Premier Division opposition in the shape of Kevin Doherty's Drogheda.
With the Rose of Tralee festival now in full swing in the town across this weekend, locals had no shortage of entertainment options meaning Mounthawk Park was just short of a sell-out as it hosted FAI Cup action for the second time in the space of a month.
The Drogs were pushed all the way though by Billy Dennehy's young side, whose starting XI averaged an age of just 21.
The topflight side hit the front inside seven minutes. Robinson was rewarded for making a darting run to the front post, where he stretched to meet Dayle Rooney's left-foot cross.
The striker, signed from Shelbourne last month, beat Kerry goalkeeper Lee Axworthy with the finish for his maiden United strike and his first goal in league or cup for 15 months.
The 20-year-old then forced Axworthy into a save at his near post as Drogheda enjoyed a strong spell.
Much to Kerry's credit, they acquitted themselves positively before and after the visitors' lead goal. Sean McGrath, impressive throughout, cut inside from a position on the left and fired over early on before top scorer Leo Gaxha had Kerry's best opportunity of the game.
The Tralee-born former Albania underage international's long-range effort was goal-bound were it not for Andrew Wogan, who tipped his shot onto the crossbar. With Ryan Kelliher lurking, Conor Kane did well to head clear the loose ball.
McGrath and Robinson missed opportunities at either end. However, Kerry who sit bottom of the First Division, were competitive throughout and were never overwhelmed by their opponents from the Northeast.
Doherty's men, who last made the quarter-finals in 2017, began to turn the screw as the second half wore on. Gary Deegan clipped the crossbar from the edge of the area and his midfield partner Ryan Brennan almost caught out Axworthy from well within his own half.
Both Deegan and Conor Keely were booked for cynical fouls on Kelliher and Kennedy Amechi in midfield, an indication of their wariness of the Kerry threat on the break. Dennehy didn't shy away from making attacking substitutions either, rolling the dice with nothing to lose in front of a bumper home crowd.
Samuel Aladesanusi's shot in injury time might have caused Wogan an issue, but Keeley's deflection took the sting out of it. A famous result, but not a creditable performance, was just beyond them.
Kerry: Lee Axworthy; Samuel Aladesanusi, Jonathan Hannafin (Robert Vasiu, 67), Ethan Kos; Kevin Williams (Daniel Okwute, 78), Cian Barrett (Cian Brosnan, 90+2), Ronan Teahan (Kennedy Amechi 67), Sean O'Connell; Sean McGrath, Leo Gaxha; Ryan Kelliher.
Drogheda United: Andrew Wogan; Luke Heeney, Jamie Egan, Conor Keeley, Conor Kane; Gary Deegan, Ryan Brennan; Adam Foley (Luke Wade Slater, 84), Darragh Markey (Matthew O'Brien, 90), Dayle Rooney; Kyle Robinson (Warren Davis, 76).
Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan
