Neighbours Lixnaw and Crotta O'Neills could not be separated in the Kerry senior hurling final played at Austin Stack Park yesterday and will have to meet again next Sunday at the same venue.

A 10-minute delay due to an injury to Mike Carleton seemed to upset Lixnaw, who had netted earlier courtesy of their 16-year-old corner forward Michael Conway, and Crotta's Brendan O'Mahony and Sean Twomey had the sides level after 25 minutes. Then came the first of their two goals scored by John Edwards, which put his side 1-3 to a goal in front. After Pat O'Connell replied for Lixnaw Edwards popped up again to give Crotta a 2-5 to 2-1 advantage.

The second half was much improved with Lixnaw fighting back, thanks to the efforts of midfielder Pat Cronin and the switch of Paul Galvin from full-forward to the 40. Cronin, and Galvin with two points along with a Michael Conway free, had the sides level 2-5 apiece after 40 minutes. Then sub Carleton was sprung from the sideline to take a free and he duly obliged, knocking over three points to give Crotta a two-point lead entering the final 10 minutes.

However, Lixnaw were not to be denied and inspired by Trevor McKenna, Galvin and Patrick Dowling fought back to level with points from Cronin, Galvin and the equaliser from Conway.

LIXNAW: E Thornton, P Dowling, C Lyons, M McCarthy, A Cronin, T McKenna, T O'Mahony, E Fitzmaurice (0-1), P Cronin (0-3), E Galvin , P O'Connell (1-0), J Maher, M Conway (1-2), P Galvin (0-2), M Kelliher. Subs: F Fitzmaurice for M Kelliher; D McCarthy for J Maher; J McCarthy for E Galvin.

CROTTA O'NEILLS: T R McElligott, J Quilter, K McKenna, T B McElligott, A Keane, T Cronin, D Fitzmaurice, J O'Sullivan, P Cronin, M Carleton (0-4), D Mahony (0-1), J Edwards (2-0), S Twomey (0-2), B Mahony (0-1), P McGrath. Subs: T Stack for M Carleton; M Carleton for J O'Sullivan; J O'Sullivan for T Stack.

Referee: R Williams (Dingle).