WHEN push came to shove in the white heat of battle in Croke Park this Sunday afternoon, two Killarney players stood up to be counted and their opportunism earned Kerry a second shot at another senior/minor double header at headquarters on September 21.
Man-of-the-moment James O’Donoghue, oozing in confidence and with a self-belief that’s so refreshing, broke Mayo’s grasp with a last gasp goal and, seconds later, he almost broke their hearts as well when he came agonisingly close to snatching a winner.
Playing an equally important role in a spirited, chest-pounding Kerry fightback was another Killarney man, Kieran O’Leary, who notched a splendid point to claw Mayo back and set up a grandstand finish.
Conservative estimates suggested that Kerry fans were outnumbered three-to-one on the day and for long spells in this game, despite having an extra man for the full second half, after Lee Keegan let rip with a wayward boot, Kerry looked outnumbered on the field as well.
As is often the case, the additional man was of no benefit as Mayo bossed midfield, with Donal Vaughan and Seamus O’Shea dominating after the resumption and Aidan O’Shea bursting through the Kerry defence almost at will.
Despite finding themselves five points up in the second period, 0-10 to 0-5, Kerry were soon five adrift and when Cillian O’Conor tucked a penalty beyond the reach of Legion and Kerry custodian Brian Kelly, the darkening clouds over Croker seemed wholly appropriate.
But there was great fighting spiriting in Eamonn Fitmaurice’s side and timely substitutions, with Kieran Donaghy, Kieran O’Leary and Barry John Keane all coming in, made a hell of a difference when Mayo legs tired.
With time rapidly running out, Brian Sheehan cut the gap to four, James O’Donoghue finished sweetly to the net after a great fetch by Donaghy and Kieran O’Leary became another Killarney and Kerry hero when he floated over the equaliser in the dying seconds.
There was still time to win it but even though half the Kerry crowd in the stands were sure they had done so, James O’Donoghue’s dramatic attempt for a point, with the last kick of the game, shaved the woodwork and bounced to safety.
To be perfectly honest, if Kerry had managed to snatch it one could have been forgiven for scanning the programme to determine if there was a Ronnie Biggs in the Kingdom line-up but now that they have played their get out of jail free card, nothing but a major improvement will suffice when they take to the field for the replay, scheduled for Limerick next Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Kerry minors, captained by the tigerish Dan O’Donoghue from Spa, were convincing in their four-point victory over Mayo.
Although Killian Spillane notched the bulk of the scores, Dr Crokes duo Michael Burns and Jordan Kiely also contributed well, although the latter was unlucky with a penalty kick that was saved by Mayo keeper Matt Flanagan.
Beaufort’s Liam Carey, who started on the bench but finished the game with a three points and an enhanced reputation, certainly made a case for inclusion in the starting line-up for the final as did the towering Liam Kearney from Spa who also did well when introduced.
One major talking point amongst Kerry supporters in Croke Park was the performance of senior match referee David Coldrick who made some bewildering decisions which infuriated the Kingdom supporters.
One would imagine if the Meath official is planning a relaxing weekend away any time soon, he might have a more restful time in Westport as opposed to Killarney.
