IN PREVIOUS rounds, Crettyard took time to settle into their familiar pattern but after John Graham had calmly gathered a stray Kilmallock cross, this was not a feature in this encounter against the Limerick League Premier division representatives.

The home side found themselves pinned back into their own half as Crettyard sought an early breakthrough with Colin Osborne advancing panzer like from midfield before firing in a shot which was deflected for a corner on ten minutes. Chrístóir Maher's delivery was met by Ricardo Tavolieri whose header angled just above the bar.

Every second of possession was battled for in a midfield mix where Crettyard proceeded to enjoy the better of the exchanges with the skilful Willie Fitzpatrick tormented the home defence earning a number of frees in dangerous positions. From one, Chrístóir Maher's delivery found Terence Haughney whose goal bound effort was defected for an unproductive corner on 18 minutes.

Kilmallock were striving to get a foothold in the game but were getting little change out of no nonsense Crettyard defence which was relieved to see a calm John Graham advance to collect a misdirected Raymond Buggy header on 25 minutes.

This event proved to be an exception as Crettyard continued to probe the home defence for frailties during the following exchanges. Always mindful of the home sides ability to launch a deadly counter attack

Crettyard remained cautious and with good reason as they found themselves conceding more midfield space as the half progressed towards the half time whistle. Kilmallock were definitely turning the screw effectively and won a corner on 44 minutes which was accurately delivered to a forward waiting patiently to climb at the far post to angle a firm header to the Crettyard net.

Conceding such a score at a time when they might have been expected to play out time extracted an unmistakable response from Crettyard whose less cautious approach on the restart won a series of corner's against a home defence which was stretched to the limit but still managed to preserve their lead.

Willie Fitzpatrick remained a thistle to the home defence and agonised as he had a shot scooped off the Kilmallock line on 60 minutes. Crettyard laid siege to the home box and during this head of steam building spell Colin Osborne's goal bound shot flattened a home defender before Terence Haughney angled a header squarely onto the bar on 76 minutes.

Finally, another Chrístóir Maher free was delivered into aerial space for Lee Quays to deftly loop a header over the keeper to equalise on 78 minutes. During the course of the following exchanges Crettyard owned possession but were unable to unlock the home defence again as the game progressed into extra time.

With the home team happy to await penalties perhaps the clearest chance created during extra time came Willie Fitzpatrick's way but his angled header flew a whisker wide of the far post on 92 minutes.

The game advanced to penalties with Kilmallock's sizable and agile keeper the difference between the sides. In yet another heroic team performance Colin Osborne, Craig Comerford, Lee Quays and Raymond Buggy excelled for Crettyard.