THE proverbial game of two contrasting halves. The first full of action the second providing not one attempt on target save for a last minute controversy when Cork might have snatched St Patrick's Athletic were rocked back on their heals on nine minutes when Cork struck for the lead goal. Declan Daly played Kelvin Flanagan in behind the offside trap down the right and Ollie Cahill had all the time in the world to control the low cross and shoot home from 10 yards.

St Patrick's powered forward and were on level terms in the 22nd minute when Eddie Gormley floated a 35 yard free kick to the back post and the unattended Martin Reilly rifled the ball low past Phil Harrington from a difficult angle.

After a subdued second half, a rally by Cork in the final minute brought the night's controversy when their young central defender Derek Coughlan headed an Ollie Cahill cross against the crossbar. His second header appeared to be clawed off the line by a St Patrick's arm, but referee Dennis McArdle simply waved play on.