Charlestown's bid to end a 99-year wait will last another few weeks at least following a dramatic draw in the Mayo senior football final at McHale Park, Castlebar yesterday.
Knockmore trailed at one stage by six points and appeared to be in serious difficulty when Kevin O'Neill, just back from the States that morning, was sent off for a second yellow card offence 10 minutes from time.
But a dramatic rescue was launched by centre back Peter Cawley seven minutes from time as he scored a late goal.
The outstanding midfield contribution of Kevin Staunton ensured Knockmore would live to fight another day when Cawley's goal proved to be the last score of a game high in both intensity and quality, Knockmore picking up no fewer than six yellow cards and one red.
It also took a goal to announce Knockmore's late arrival in the first half, the more stylish Charlestown knocking over three superb points from Seβn Higgins, Donal Healy and Richard Haren, before Liam McHale struck with a superb goal to tie matters.
But it was Charlestown who soon regained control and turned over at half-time leading by 0-9 to 1-2.
They extended that lead to six points 11 minutes into the half but points from Shane Sweeney and two from Kevin O'Neill brought Knockmore within striking distance, and strike they did with Cawley's goal.
KNOCKMORE: P Reape; G O'Hora, D Sweeney, R Gaughan; P Clarke, P Cawley (1-0), P Munnelly; D Dempsey, K Staunton; S Sweeney, K O'Neill (0-3), K McHale (1-0); A Butler, N Reape (0-1), E Munnelly, Subs: S Sweeney (0-1) for Munnelly. J Coy for Dempsey.
CHARLESTOWN: J Casey; E Casey, R Lenehan, R O'Connell; D Healy (0-1), D Higgins, K Duignan; D Tiernan (0-1), A Higgins; R Haren (0-2), M Caffrey (0-1), P Mulligan (0-2); P Horkan, O Conway (0-2), S Higgins (0-2). Subs: C Horkan for Caffrey, A Mulligan for P Horkan, E Gallagher for C Horkan
Referee: W Feeley (Claremorris)
HOLDERS Tooreen were held by newcomers Belmullet, 2-8 to 1-11, in the Mayo senior hurling championship final at McHale Park yesterday.
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