Kerry pull off epic comeback victory over Sligo to reach FAI Cup semis

Sligo Rovers had led 3-0 with an hour gone but a double from Cian Brosnan, a penalty from Joe Adams, and an extra-time winner by Daniel Okwute sent Kerry FC into the FAI Cup semi-finals.

Fri, 12 Sep, 2025 - 22:24

Murt Murphy, Mounthawk Park

FAI Cup quarter-final: Kerry FC 4 Sligo Rovers 3 (AET)

Kerry FC climbed off the canvas in this epic FAI Cup quarter-final when 3-0 behind on the hour to fashion a win and complete one of the great cup fairy tales of modern times. They finished the job courtesy of an incredible strike by Daniel Okwute in the 117th minute.

Cian Brosnan could have stolen the win in the 108th minute when his cross bounced and came back off the post.

Sligo Rovers displayed their Premier Division credentials in the 14th minute when James McManus sent over a cross into the danger area and Owen Elding rose above Daniel O’Connor to head powerfully beyond Matt O’Connor and in off the far post for the lead goal for the visitors.

Worse was to follow for Kerry ninety seconds later when they conceded a second after Sebastian Quirke knocked the ball into penalty area and again Owen Elding this time volleyed powerfully to the back of the net. That was Elding’s 13th goal in 31 games.

'Do you believe in miracles because Daniel Okwute does'

Daniel Okwute has possibly completed the greatest comeback in FAI Cup history!😮 pic.twitter.com/HAdTCyq49i
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) September 12, 2025

Kerry reacted by taking off defender Daniel O’Connor and bringing on Cian Brosnan, a winger, and a new 4-4-2 formation appeared to settle the home-side. In fact Cian Brosnan made an immediate impact when he forced Sligo Rovers to thwart him with a Jad Hakiki block.

Sligo Rovers retired 2-0 in front at the break.

Kerry started the second half brightly with Kevin Williams being fouled 20 yards right of centre but Joe Adams' free kick when straight through to keeper Sargeant. Then in the 52nd minute Kevin Williams unleashed a terrific shot that was deflected behind off the body of Patrick McClean.

Ronan Teahan making his 100th appearance broke through and was only denied by a great tackle McClean. But Sligo punished Kerry on the break and Owen Elding who was attempting a cross-cum-shot but it took a wicked deflection off Chris McQueen and ended up in the net for an Elding hat-trick.

Colin Healy reacts to the greatest night in Kerry's history! pic.twitter.com/AgMMJQAt7Y
— FAIreland (@FAIreland) September 12, 2025

But Kerry FC with the vocal crowd behind them began the fightback when Cian Brosnan fired home from inside the box beating Sargeant all ends up, Kerry were now in full attacking mode with 20 minutes left as Daniel Okwute threatened down the right on a couple of occasions.

It was game on the 76th when Denham pushed over Daniel Okwute in the box and Oran Crowe sent the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot as Kerry were now only 3-2 down.

Sligo were now under the cosh as Kerry FC threw the kitchen sink at them and in the 91st minute when Daniel Okwute crossed in low across the box for Cian Brosnan to score a sensational equaliser as the Kerry crowd in the 1150 attendance erupted with pure joy. More was to come in extra-time.

KERRY FC: M O’Connor; K Williams (F Barrett 60), D O’Connor (C Brosnan 27), N Brookwell, C McQueen, S O’Connell; C Mujaguzi (D Okwute 60), O Crowe (A Healy 76); R Teahan, R Cleary (S McGrath 76), J Adams

SLIGO ROVERS: S Sargeant; E Agbaje, O Denham, P McCLean, S Stewart (K McDonagh 101) ; S Quirke, C Harkin, W Waweru (101); R O’Kane (M Wolfe 82) , J Hakiki (R Manning 62) J McManus (D Patton (108), O Elding

REFEREE: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork)