Fitzmaurice and Galvin inspire Finuge comeback
It was heartbreaking for Spa, who led 0-8 to 0-5 with seven minutes remaining, but a run of four wides proved costly as points from Galvin, Pat Corridan and Fitzmaurice set up a replay on Sunday.
Points from Ryan O’Carroll and Mike O’Donoghue (free) gave Spa the early initiative before Fitzmaurice opened the Finuge account.
O’Donoghue’s dead ball accuracy was all that separated them at the interval (0-4 to 0-3).
The north Kerry side took control on the restart and points from James Flaherty and Jack Corridan edged them ahead. But back came Spa and efforts from O’Donoghue (2), Cormac Cronin and Cian Tobin looked to have sealed them the crown. Then came Finuge’s late heroics.
Scorers for Finuge: E Fitzmaurice and P Corridan 0-2 each, P Galvin 0-1 free, J Corridan, J Griffin and J Flaherty 0-1 each
Scorers for Spa: M O’Donoghue 0-4 frees, C Cronin 0-2 frees, R O’Carroll and C Tobin 0-1 each
FINUGE: C Fitzmaurice, C Allen, T McKenna, D McCarthy, Paudie Galvin, Pa Corridan, J Corridan, M Corridan, Paul Galvin, J Griffin, F Fitzmaurice, J Flaherty, E Fitzmaurice, R Galvin
Subs: S Power for F Fitzmaurice (h/t), M Conway for R Galvin (42), E Galvin for J Corridan (58)
SPA: J Devane, S Lynch, H O’Donoghue, B Gleeson, M Murphy, F O’Sullivan, E Cronin, A Garnett, I Flynn, R O’Carroll, M O’Donoghue, A Giles, C Cronin, C Hickey, C Tobin
Subs: J Spillane for Me Flynn (41), P Courtney for C Hickey (58)
Referee: Paul O’Sullivan (Dromid Pearses).