Drama in North Kerry final as Knocknagoshel land equaliser against Listowel after the hooter

Outsiders Knocknagoshel, playing in their first ever North Kerry final, came from 10 points down to force a replay against holders Listowel Emmets.

Midfielder Joe Joe Grimes scored a point for Listowel. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

North Kerry Football Championship final: Listowel Emmets 3-9 Knocknagoshel 1-15 

Never write off the underdog. Knocknagoshel came back from being ten points adrift at the end of the third quarter to grab a two-pointer to snatch a draw from the jaws of defeat after the buzzer had sounded to deny holders Listowel Emmets an 18th title after a dramatic North Kerry SFC final played before a huge crowd in Pairc Na Feile, Brosna on Sunday afternoon.

Knocknagoshel never even reached a North Kerry semi-final until this year. They were 8/1 outsiders to take down Emmets, who had been in Croke Park last January 12 months in an All-Ireland Junior Final.

But having really put it up to the townies for the opening half when they retired 0-5 to 0-3, they appeared to have shot their bolt when Emmets super sub Conor Sweeney fired home two quick third quarter goals and Darragh Lynch finished another to the net, the favourites appeared to have made their burst for victory as they led 3-8 to 0-7 by the 45th minute.

But Knocknagoshel's fighting spirit and resilience meant that they refused to throw in the towel and driven on by the McElligott twins, Michael Walsh and Conor Cahill, they launched an incredible comeback outscoring Listowel Emmets 1-8 to 0-1 in the final fifteen minutes.

Jack McElligott top and tailed the final quarter with a point and then a two-pointer to level the contest. The crucial goal was scored in the 48th minute when a kickout went straight to Conor Cahill and he ghosted his way through the Listowel defence to finish to the net with his left foot.

It was now 3-8 to 1-8 and suddenly Knocknagoshel caught fire with Shane O'Connell, Conor Sheehan and Jack McElligott hunting down Listowel players like ravenous dogs and points by Cathal McElligott and two Jack Brosnan points reduced the deficit to just four points, as Bryan Sweeney had posted Emmets' sole fourth quarter point.

Then in the 56th minute John Bell landed a two-pointer that bounced over the bar and it was now a two point game.

The excitement was palpable as the large Knocknagoshel fan base roared their team on. But the clock was against them as they launched a final attack and won a forty five. John Bell launched it into the square and as the hooter sounded, Listowel Emmets midfielder Daragh Leahy rose highest to catch it but he kicked it behind thinking he had won the game for his side but as per rule, the game was not over and Knocknagoshel were awarded a forty five. John Bell found Jack McElligott with a short ’45 and he fired over an awesome two-pointer from well outside the arc to level the contest in the most dramatic of circumstances so a replay is now required.

Listowel Emmets will be kicking themselves for not winning but full marks to gutsy Knocknagoshel.

Scorers for Listowel Emmets: C Sweeney (2-1), D Lynch (1-4, 4fs), P Walsh, E Healy, J J Grimes and B Sweeney (0-1 each).

Scorers for Knocknagoshel: C Cahill (1-4, 2fs), J Bell (0-4, 1f, tpp), J McElligott (0-3, 1tpp), J Brosnan (0-2), S O’Connell and C McElligott (0-1 each).

LISTOWEL EMMETS: S Quinn; M Kennedy, P Walsh, G McCarthy; E Healy, E Browne, N Collins; J J Grimes, D Leahy; C Pierce , S Keane , J McVeigh; D Lynch, A Kennelly, A O’Rourke 

Subs: C Sweeney for E Browne (h/t), S Tarrant for S Keane (43), B Sweeney for A O’Rourke (50), D Carey for D Lynch (59) 

KNOCKNAGOSHEL: M Casey; E McSweeney, J Bell, J Walsh; Michael Walsh, J McElligott, C Sheehan; S O’Connell, B O’Rahilly; J Brosnan, C McElligott, J Bell; C Cahill, C Mangan, John Walsh 

Subs: Niall Barrett for B O’Rahilly (56) 

Referee: P Dowling (Ballylongford)