AT half time in this game it looked as if Killarney Athletic were on their way to a giant killing exercise when they led Clonmel town 20.

However, things went horribly wrong for the South Kerry side in the second half when they conceded twice they knew it was going to be rocky road ahead.

While they retained their composure after this devastating setback Colmel had mmoved up a gear and were taking the game to the Athletic side.

Two goals in the second period of extra time sealed the game for the Tipperary side and left Athletic wondering how they let their strong position at half time subside and concede goals of a soft nature.

A very big crowd turned out at Woodlawn for the big game and it turned out to be a pulsating cup tie with plenty of good football and crunch tackles and an abundance of nerve wrecking goalmouth activity.

In a game of great intensity both sides showed great spirit and determination where every ball was contested to the very limit.

Clonmel are a big physical side but they found Athletic a hard nut to crack with their back 4 in superb form putting in great tackles and challenges as if their lived depended on it.

Athletic began nervously in the opening minutes of the game but once they found their feet they matched their opponents in all departments of play.

Against the run of play Athletic took the lead in the 10th minute when Lucas Polak controlled the ball inside the Clonmel half and slipped it in to Rory O'Sullivan who spotted the Clonmel goalie a bit off his line and his well timed volley dipped over the keeper and into the roof of the net.

Then in the 34th minute they doubled their lead when a quick corner by Athletic caught Clonmel napping with Galen Carroll linking up with Brien O'Reilly who whipped a great ball into the goalmouth where Lucas Polak forced the ball home from close range.

Athletic looked very comfortable at half time 20 ut they knew they would have to keep their concentration at its very highest in the second half to protect this great lead.

However, Clonmel brought on sub Barry Ryan at the start of the second half and he proved to be the match winner at the end of the day.

While Clonmel began to dictate affairs in the second half they were finding it hard to get past a dogged home defence.

They got right back into the game on the hour mark when a corner kick by Ian Barnes found Barry Ryan at the far post and he headed to the net.

Seven minutes later the game was all square when Ian Cleers and Raymie Condon combined to release Barry Ryan free and he showed a clean pair of heels to defenders and he drew the goalie and applied a sublime finish.

In the closing minutes Clonmel should have scored when Bobby Ryan was in one on one with the Athletic keeper but Brian O'Connor cut the angle well and Ryan dragged his shot wide.

With the sides deadlocked 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes in an exhausting game two weary sides headed into extra time. In the first period stalemate continued but five minutes into the second period of extra time the game was turned on its head when Ian Barnes 40 yards out on the sideline sending in a long high cross cum shot into the Athletic goals.

Athletic Brian O'Connor reached up to pluck the ball out of the air ut unfortunately it fell out of his grasp and into the net to gift Clonmel a very soft goal.

Outside of this unfortunate the Athetic goalie played very well and he will be disappointed at the ball that went past him.

Two minutes later it was all over for Athletic when Barry Ryan weaved his web of magic and got in behind the Athletic defence and he fired home to complete his hat trick.

The manner in which Athletic went down was disappointing but they can feel very proud of their performance against one of the best junior soccer team's in the country.