Longford 3-7 Kerry 1-12 That something had deeply wounded the pride of Kerry football was evident in the crushed silence of their dressing-room. Outside, young Longford autograph-hunters were screaming with delight at having acquired the names of the Bardens and the hero of the day, Stephen Lynch, who boxed home the winning score after almost five minutes of injury time.
The move that led to the match winner typified the resolve, drive and spirit of Longford throughout a remarkable match in which Kerry had to operate with only 14 men following the sending-off of corner back Tom O'Sullivan 12 minutes into the second half.
Having just suffered a defeat that was never in the script, Kerry manager Jack O'Connor was quick to comment on the last-gasp goal that sent Longford supporters in the 4,000 crowd delirious. "It was a little on the ridiculous side - three minutes (of injury time) yes but four and a half was not on," he said.
The match started in a rainstorm which favoured the pumped-up Longford men, Kerry unable to get within shooting distance of the Longford posts.
And the home side could not have got a better start, a goal in the opening 30 seconds. Tom O'Sullivan was left for dead by David Barden, whose cross was finished to the net by his brother and team captain, Paul.
Even given the wind advantage Longford enjoyed in the opening half, their ownership of the ball was surprising as corner back Shane Carroll and half backs Enda Ledwith, David Hannify and Lynch drove forward behind the talented midfield of Liam Keenan and Fintan Coyle.
And yet the harder Longford tried the more their inaccuracy betrayed them. They posted an inordinate 10 wides in the first half - most from good positions.
Kerry were patient and soon the storm abated. Séamus Moynihan became inspirational from left wing back and Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Tomás Ó Sé were positive in everything they tried. Central attackers Declan O'Sullivan and Dara Ó Cinnéide came more into it.
Soon the breakthrough came. Declan O'Sullivan took advantage of good work by Ó Cinnéide and after Paul Galvin hit the woodwork he was on hand to shoot Kerry's opening goal.
That 13th-minute score settled Kerry and the match began to follow the expected script - with the sides level at half-time on 1-4 each Kerry's imminent wind advantage would surely see them through.
Declan Quill compounded that view with an early second-half point but no sooner had Kerry hit the front than the tenacious Longford men stormed back with a great goal by substitute Trevor Smullen. Paul Galvin had Kerry's first wide after 10 minutes of the second half and that spurred Longford to another attack.
This time with another home goal looking likely Tommy Griffin made a timely interception, but then all hell broke loose near the Kerry posts and referee Jimmy McKee did not hesitate in showing O'Sullivan the red card.
Substitute Ronan O'Connor got Kerry back on terms, 1-7 to 2-4, and Mark Ó Sé restored the lead with a point but Liam Keenan and Pádraic Davis replied. Moynihan, O'Connor and Ó Cinnéide put Kerry back in front. But Davis narrowed the gap again to set up the grandstand finish.
It went like this: Keenan probed with the initial shot, the ball broke to David Blessington, who cracked it off the bar only for Lynch to finish to the net.
It had been 31 years since Longford beat Kerry and manager Denis Connerton said: "Tight finishes have usually gone against us in the past. It was a huge effort by our team. They worked so hard that they deserved it."
Jack O'Connor said: "We were short on match practice and tended to tire in the end but they (Longford) were very spirited."
LONGFORD: D Sheridan; C Carroll, C Conefrey, A O'Connor; E Ledwith, D Hannify, S Lynch (1-0); L Keenan (0-1), F Coyle; M Kelly, D Blessington, P Barden (1-0); D Barden (0-1), N Sheridan, P Davis (0-5, three frees, one 45). Subs: T Smullen (1-0) for Sheridan (18 mins); P Dowd for Kelly (30 mins); M Hussey for Dowd (60 mins); M Muleady for O'Connor (66 mins).
KERRY: D O'Keeffe; B Guiney, M McCarthy, T O'Sullivan; T Ó Sé, E Fitzmaurice, S Moynihan (0-1); S Scanlon (0-1), T Griffin; P Galvin (0-1), D O'Sullivan (1-0), E Brosnan; D Quill (0-1), D Ó Cinnéide (0-3, one 45, two frees), M F Russell (0-1). Subs: R O'Connor (0-3) for Quill (41 mins); M Ó Sé (0-1) for Griffin (51 mins); L Hassett for MF Russell (57 mins); J Crowley for E Brosnan (71 minutes).
Referee: J McKee (Armagh).
