Joseph's leave it late

Colin White's sensational winner for St Joseph's provoked amazing scenes at Belfield Park last night in this cup decider.

Behind with four minutes to go, the holders, who were contesting their fifth final this decade, turned the game completely on its head.

First, on 86 minutes, persistence on the left side by Darren Smithers saw the midfielder leave his marker before sending over an inviting cross. On hand for the equaliser was centre half Stephen Higgins, who beat the goalkeeper with a diving header.

St Benildus, scarcely believing their bad fortune, were dealt a further blow two minutes later when White stole in behind their defence to deliver a low, angled drive into the corner of the net.

Chaos ensued below the UCD stand, and part of the fencing was damaged by a rather overly enthusiastic element.

Few could have envisaged such a turnaround after St Benildus had dominated their opponents for most of the game, with UCD striker Glen Fitzpatrick playing his second game in 24 hours influential in attack.

Nonetheless, there was more than a touch of fortune to their opening score on 60 minutes when Barry Renwick's free from just inside the touchline dipped over goalkeeper Gary Begley, who was totally deceived by the flight of the ball.

St Benildus: Miley, Richard Renwick, Mowlds, Kennedy, Sharkey, Flynn, Mooney, Patterson, Coughlan, Fitzpatrick, Barry Renwick. Subs: Saunders for R Renwick (70 mins), Mills for Flynn (77 mins), White for Sharkey (83 mins).

St Joseph's: Begley, Sullivan, Higgins, M Kelly, Keeely, Smithers, Walsh, Daly, R Kelly, Reid, White. Subs: Hayes for Daly (53 mins), Burke for R Kelly (78 mins).

Referee: P Tuite (Dublin).