Kerry will meet Mayo in the Allianz Football League semi-finals after the Kingdom came from behind in the second half to force a
1-12 draw at Austin Stack Park.
Kerry, already qualified, trailed an in-form Mayo side 1-08 to 0-07 at the break,the visitors scoring a fine Jason Doherty goal.
The home side introduced four of their top players as subs
in the second half and despite playing against the wind, they
fought back thanks to a Bryan Sheehan's 1-06 to nab a draw.
There was a minutes silence before throw in for Kerry's brilliant forward John Egan.The man who was based as a Garda in Togher in Cork, had won an All Ireland senior football medal in 1975 and then was part of the four-in-a-row winning side from 1978-1981.
The man from Sneem who was honoured with five All Star awards was aged 59.
Kerry were guaranteed top spot and a place in the semi-finals before throw-in, with boss Jack O'Connor starting Colm Cooper for his first game in the county colours since last year’s All Ireland final defeat to Dublin in an experimental Kingdom line up.
Mayo came to Tralee in good spirits after a 12-point win over All Ireland champions Dublin in Castlebar, but they showed five changes from that side, including no place for all time leading scorer Conor Mortimer.
The visitors took the game to the hosts from the throw-in and despite playing against the wind they led 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes, with Cillian O'Connor kicking two frees and full forward Jason Doherty finding his range.
In response Bryan Sheehan, who started in midfield with Kieran Donaghy, landed one of his three long range first half frees, with Paddy Curtin and Colm Cooper points levelling the game.
But then Mayo hit a purple patch which led to their 20th minute goal as O'Connor cut along the end line to set up Doherty, who punched their goal in off the Kerry crossbar.
Jack O’Connor’s side, however, finished the half well with the last four scores to leave the score 1-08 to 0-7 at the break. Kerry introduced Paul Galvin and Darran O'Sullivan for the second period with Declan O'Sullivan and Marc O'Se coming off the bench shortly afterwards.
The changes worked as Galvin got on the scoresheet and Curtin and Cooper started to combine well. Peter Crowley set up the Gooch, who was brought down for a penalty, and with Kerry trailing by five points, Sheehan found the net with a low spot kick.
The same player kicked over the final two points, including the leveller with the last kick of the game. Mayo will rue losing half back Lee Keegan to a second yellow card early in the second half.
Because of today’s results, the sides will meet again in the Division 1 semi-final next Sunday.
KERRY: Brian Kelly; Shane Enright, KillianYoung, Brian McGuire; Peter Crowley, Eoin Brosnan, Johnathan Lyne; Bryan Sheehan (1-6,0-6f,1-0 pen) Kieran Donaghy; David O'Callaghan ,BJ Keane, Johnny Buckley; Colm Cooper(0-2), Paddy Curtin(0-3), Kieran O'Leary.
Subs; Paul Galvin(0-1) and Darran O'Sullivan for Keane and O'Callaghan (both h/t), Marc O'Sè for Brosnan(45), James O'Donoghue for Buckley(58), Declan O'Sullivan for O'Leary(46).
MAYO: David Clarke(0-1,45); Eoin Rielly, Ger Cafferky, Keith Higgins; Lee Keegan, Donal Vaughan, Colm Boyle; Jason Givens, Aidan O'Regan; Kevin McLoughlin(0-2), Andy Moran, Alan Dillon(0-2); Killian O'Connor(0-6f), Jason Doherty(1-1), Michael Conroy.
Subs; Conor Mortimer for Conroy (48), Evan Regan for O'Connor (55), Shane McHale for Doherty (67).
Referee. Maurice Condon(Waterford).
