Dublin U21 footballers face Kildare in Leinster final

The under-21 footballers of Dublin and Kildare collide this coming Saturday in the EirGrid Leinster U21FC final, a repeat of last year's pulsating battle on a wet April night in Páirc Tailteann, Navan.

The Dubs emerged victorious, 3-10 to 1-12, thanks to a scoring surge in the concluding quarter and this Saturday's provincial decider promises another excellent contest.

Dublin's squad doesn't contain many 'veterans' of last year when Cormac Costello's tally of 2-2 (0-1f), Conor McHugh's 0-5 (0-1 pen) as well as one survivor of last year, Colm Basquel's goal helped the Dublin cause.

The sides have met in each of the last three Leinster minor football championships with Kildare holding a 2-1 advantage including their very impressive 3-13 to 2-6 victory in 2013.

Dublin manager Dessie Farrell knows his side are facing the stiffest of opponents and a team fancied since the outset of the competition.

"We were quite fortunate to get over the line (against Kildare) in last year’s final,” says the Dublin manager.

“It was a really, really epic battle and we had a lot of guys with plenty of experience on the field that day and they were still put to the pin of their collars.

“I think the tables have turned slightly now. I think Kildare are the more mature and experienced side and they obviously have a lot of pedigree from their minor days as players, so it’ll be a different dynamic going on for this Kildare and Dublin game."

Dublin defeated Laois in their semi-final when they were boosted by the return of Ballyboden St Enda's duo, Colm Basquel and Shane Clayton, fresh from their All-Ireland club success.

Dublin will be attempting to secure a provincial three in-a-row at this grade for the first time ever - such a feat was last achieved in the province by Meath in 1989-91 and Kildare are the only other county to do the same in 1965-67.