PICTURES: Drawn Kerry county final ends in a melee

Mon, 09 Nov, 2015 - 10:17

Grainne McGuinness

Killarney Legion and South Kerry will have to do it all again on November 22 after their Kerry SFC final yesterday ended in a 09-09 draw.

The result was due in no small part to a number of contentious decisions by the referee; leading to fisticuffs between the two teams after the final whistle.

Denis Sheahan and Conor Keane, right, Killarney Legion, with South Kerry players Bryan Sheehan, 8, Greg Gibson, and Paul O'Sullivan, left, after the final whistle. Picture: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

South Kerry were incensed that Legion scored the equalising point in the fourth minute of additional time, after two minutes was announced.

Earlier in the second-half Conor Keane was awarded a controversial point, with many onlookers, including South Kerry manager John Sugrue, believing the ball had gone wide.

Killarney Legion and South Kerry players following the final whistle. Picture: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

As a precautionary measure referee Seamus Mulvihill was escorted from the field by Gardaí, although tempers had largely cooled at that stage.

8 November 2015; Referee Seamus Mulvihill is escorted from the pitch after the game. Picture: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE

Killarney Legion manager Peter Keane said his side were delighted to still be in with a chance of claiming the Bishop Moynihan Cup, and would now focus on preparing for the replay in two weeks time.

“I suppose it is (relief) when you pull something out of the death but, look it, we’re still in a final and we’re looking forward to it,” Keane told the Irish Examiner.