Monaghan's Damien Freeman (left) is challenged by Dara O Se

Thomas Freeman's penalty helped Monaghan lead 1-2 to 0-1 but Kerry levelled at 0-8 to 1-5 by half-time.

Monaghan looked set for victory when two Ciaran Hanratty points helped them lead 1-9 to 0-9 after 55 minutes.

But Declan O'Sullivan's goal levelled again and while Monaghan replied to go two up, Kerry hit three late points with Tomas O Se fisting the clincher.

Interview Seamus McEnaney

Match photos: Kerry v Monaghan

Monaghan's players looked devastated at the finish and it was no wonder after they produced a magnificent display for 65 minutes of the contest.

However, the Monaghan men ran out of the steam in the closing five minutes as Dara O Se produced an incredible burst of play to tip the balance in the Kingdom's favour.

Monaghan also lacked composure in the closing moments as possession was kicked into opposition hands while sub Paul Meegan also missed an injury-time chance which would have ensured a replay.

But manager Seamus McEnaney can be proud of his players' efforts despite the defeat.

They started brilliantly with Rory Woods and Thomas Freeman knocking over the opening two points of the game inside three minutes.

After Mike Frank Russell had opened Kerry's account, Monaghan then went four ahead in the eighth minute when Thomas Freeman coolly slotted a penalty after the strong running Ciaran Hanratty had been fouled.

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Hanratty had been late replacement for Conor McManus and he justified his inclusion with a strong-running performance.

Kerry regrouped to hit the next four scores which levelled matters by the 22nd minute.

The Kingdom looked to be in control by this stage but the tide turned again with Monaghan notching the next three scores with Thomas Freeman, the lively Rory Woods and Stephen Gollogley all on target.

However, Kerry were level by the break thanks to a Killian Young point and two Russell frees.

Kerry claimed for a goal in the first minute of the second half but referee David Coldrick ruled for a square ball to cancel out Kieran Donaghy's effort.

Monaghan were to outscore Kerry by 0-4 to 0-1 in the 20 minutes after half-time, thanks in part to two glorious Hanratty points from play.

John Paul Mone, wearing a Kerry jersey shows his disappointment

But Monaghan's three-point lead was shortlived as substitute Declan O'Sullivan slotted to the net from close range in the 57th minute after Kieran Donaghy had finally caused a problem from John Paul Mone in an aerial duel in the Monaghan defence.

To Monaghan's immense credit, they refused to yield at that point and scores from Thomas Freeman and Paul Finlay had them two up with eight minutes of normal time left.

Probably the crucial moment of the match came between the two Monaghan points with Thomas Freeman appearing to have a pointblank goal chance but a Kerry defender made a sensational block to divert the ball out for a 45.

The strength of Kerry's bench was borne out by the closing minutes of the epic contest.

Sub Bryan Sheehan cut Monaghan's lead to the minimum in the 65th minute and the same player levelled the contest with two minutes of normal time left.

At that stage, Dara O Se was finally lording the midfield exchanges after struggling against Dick Clerkin and Eoin Lennon for most of the contest.

Monaghan's players seemed to be out on the feet and Kerry worked the ball downfield again in the 69th minute for Tomas O Se to fist what proved to be the winning score.

Paul Meegan had an injury-time chance from 30 metres from Monaghan but he pulled his shot off target.

By that stage, the composure that Monaghan had hitherto displayed was deserting them.

At the finish, Kerry were relieved while Monaghan agonised on how they had let victory slip.

Monaghan: S Duffy, D Mone, V Corey, C Flanagan, D McArdle, G McQuaid, J P Mone, D Clerkin, E Lennon, S Gollogly, P Finlay, D Freeman (c), C Hanratty, R Woods, T Freeman.

Kerry: D Murphy; M O Se, T O'Sullivan, P Reidy, T O Se, A O'Mahoney, K Young, D O Se, S Scanlon, D O'Sullivan, E Brosnan, P Galvin, C Cooper, K Donaghy, MF Russell.