Glenanne were odds-on to carry off the Neville Cup for the fourth season and the fifth time in six years at Serpentine Avenue yesterday but Monkstown dared to challenge them with skill and application before the holders mounted a massive offensive in the closing quarter to win a rousing final, 5-3, embellished by a hat-trick by John Goulding.

There were stages, when Monkstown led 2-1 and 3-2, that expectations of a surprise were raised. Yet, Glenanne - though finding it difficult to get the better of a diligent back four - showed their determination to prevail.

Their first short corner yielded a goal for Stephen Butler but two more of his drag flicks were saved well by Shane Davey, giving Monkstown the encouragement to counter-attack for their captain Ian Stuart to force home an equaliser.

This prompted further attacks, culminating in Ian Allen putting his side ahead, leaving Glenanne relieved to get back on terms by the interval through Butler.

Although David Jenkins shot Monkstown in front again early in the second half, Goulding got a touch to a corner to make it 3-3 - then came the full press. A move involving Butler and Devin Kehoe was finished off by Goulding and he snapped up the final goal from Graham Shaw in the last minute.

GLENANNE: I Clarke; P Fitzpatrick, C Bolger, D Shaw, C Murphy; G Shaw, S Butler, A Browne (capt); M Lambe, J Goulding, R O'Donoghue. Subs: J Brennan, D Kehoe.

MONKSTOWN: S Davey; A Murdoch, D Johnston, G Dunne, C Beere; B Groves, D Jenkins, R Beere, I Stuart (capt); M Trounce, I Allen.

Umpires: A Groves, D Johnston.