AFTER coming from 3-0 down Macroom A looked to be on a roll until a late, late penalty slammed the door shut in the Lucozade Munster Junior Cup third round in the Town Park on Sunday morning.

The game was fairly even in the first half but the difference was Killumney took their chances. Killumney took the lead on 20 minutes after a corner was cleared to just outside the Macroom box. There it was met by Jason Duff who controlled the clearance and loosed shot towards the keeper before it took a cruel deflection off a Macroom man and ended up in the top corner of the net. Macroom, who have been doing very well all season, fought back for an equaliser but it was again Killumney who struck for their second just before half time. A right wing cross found Ian Roche who converted clinically from close range.

In an effort to turn the tide Macroom made changes at half time but were hit by a third Killumney goal minutes into the second half. This time it was Lloyd Dorgan who got on the end of a Dave Sheehan cross and headed home for their third. Kilumney were looking good in this all-Muskerry encounter. Lesser teams might have folded but what transpired was a great Macroom comeback, with everyone pulling their weight. Firstly, substitute Martin Corcoran controlled an expertly flighted pass from William O'Riordan and flashed in a low cross to find Keith Holden who applied the finish and put Macroom on the scoreboard.

Next it was the turn of another substitute, James O'Connor, to deliver another great cross to Holden, who got his second of the game from his head. Killumney were reeling now as Macroom took the game by the scruff of the neck and it was O'Connor who got their equaliser, finishing after the Killumney keeper saved Holden's attempt at a hattrick.

By then the game was in Macroom's control but with only minutes remaining Killumney were awarded a penalty after Lloyd Dorgan was upended in the box. Up stepped Eamon McNamara who converted expertly, leaving no way back for Macroom.

It was harsh on Macroom, who showed immense spirit to fashion their comeback, but the triumpant villagers were full value for their victory over such opposition.