A last minute Joe Kavanagh point gave Nemo Rangers a second chance against UCC in a thrilling Cork county Senior Football Championship final in front of a crowd of 6,500 at Pairc Ui Chaoimh yesterday.

The Cork star had been well marshalled for most of the hour, but pounced when the need was greatest after College looked like winning the title with a point from Billy Sheehan minutes earlier.

UCC, who registered 12 wides to Nemo's four, failed to deal with Colin Corkery in the opening half, at the the end of which the sides were tied at 0-5 each. Nemo moved up a gear after the break, scoring three unanswered points to move 0-8 to 0-5 ahead by the 40th minute. Again, Corkery was instrumental, notching one from a free and a super effort from play, with Martin Cronin kicking the other.

College introduced Seamus Downey at this juncture and his arrival sparked a major revival.

Within seconds of his entry Downey began the comeback with a fine point and it was Downey who scored the game's only goal in 52 minutes.

A strong run through the heart of the Nemo defence by Ger Stack provided Downey with his opportunity and his blistering drive flew past goalkeeper Don Heaphy to give College the lead, 1-6 to 0-8.

Nemo needed direction and inspiration to remain in contention and their two Cork stars, Cronin and Kavanagh, came to the rescue to ensure a replay, which is likely to be in a fortnight.

NEMO RANGERS: D Heaphy; L Kavanagh, D Kavanagh, K Cowhie; N Geary, S O'Brien, D Creedon; K Cahill, M McCarthy (0-1); A Cronin, M Cronin (0-2), G Murphy; S Calnan, J Kavanagh (0-1), C Corkery (0-6). Subs: K Connolly for Murphy and J P O'Neill for Calnan.

UCC: A Quirke; P Hanley, F Kelleher, S MacSithigh; P Galvin, E Fitzmaurice, D Reidy; G Stack, E Hanrahan; L Murphy (0-1), M O Croinin (0-1), M O Se; M D Cahill (0-1), B Sheehan (0-1), I Twiss (0-2). Sub: S Downey (1-1) for Hanrahan.

Referee: M Collins.