Kerry SHC Final/Lixnaw 1-12 Kilmoyley 2-6:Lixnaw, coached by Eamon Cregan, surprised hot favourites Kilmoyley to reclaim the Kerry title after an exiting clash at Austin Stack Park yesterday.
Lixnaw deserved their win, though Kilmoyley almost snatched a draw late on when Shane Brick's blistering shot was saved by impressive teenage goalkeeper Martin Stackpoole.
Lixnaw led 1-4 to 1-3 at the interval. Shane Brick set up Joe Murnane for a 13th-minute goal as Kilmoyley led 1-1 to 0-1, but points from Enda Galvin, Mike Conway and a goal from Killian Fitzmaurice saw Lixnaw grab the initiative.
Lixnaw introduced Kerry star Paul Galvin who fired over a point with his first touch and Conway added three more points as Lixnaw moved 1-10 to 1-5 clear with just 12 minutes left. James McCarthy's goal for Kilmoyley ensured an exciting finale.
LIXNAW: M Stackpoole; P Dowling, M Cronin, P Corridan; M Quilter, T McKenna, M Corridan; E Fitzmaurice, J Griffin (0-1); P Lyons (0-1), K Dowling, E Galvin (0-1); M Conway (0-6, four frees), K Fitzmaurice (1-0), J Flaherty (0-1). Subs: P Galvin (0-1) for P Lyons, R Galvin (0-1) for J Flaherty, F Fitzmaurice for R Galvin (inj).
KILMOYLEY: B Harris; S Griffin, P Regan, I Brick; S Fitzgerald, T Murnane, C Harris; M Murnane, E Sheehy; M Regan, S Brick (0-5, one free), P McCarthy; B Brick (0-1), J McCarthy (1-0), J Murnane (1-0). Subs: J Godley for S Fitzgerald, S Maunsell for M O'Regan, R Gentleman for P McCarthy, P Flaherty for M Murnane.
Referee: C McAllister (Cork).