U21s crowned Leinster champions

DUBLIN 3-10 KILDARE 1-12

Dublin’s under-21 footballers were crowned Leinster champions for the 12^th time when they edged out Kildare in a compelling EirGrid Leinster U21FC Final at Páirc Tailteann, Navan on Thursday night.

In a familiar fashion for Dessie Farrell’s side they came from behind over the concluding quarter to claim victory with the team showing great maturity and mettle to earn a deserved victory.

The Lilywhites, bolstered by a late, late first half goal in the 33rd minute, took control of the game at the start of the second half and inspired by the excellent Neil Flynn moved from 2-5 to 1-6 in arrears at the break to lead 1-10 to 2-5 by the three-quarter mark.

But Dublin, led by the likes of Eoin Murchan, David Byrne, Eric Lowndes and Conor McHugh, were not going to be denied and quickly stepped up their game to regain control.

Cormac Costello's 46th minute goal, his second of the night, was crucial when he fired to the net in a packed square after Colm Basquel's original fisted point effort had rebounded off an upright.

It was the bit of luck Dublin needed on a night when at times they failed to turn good position into scores, particularly in the opening half.

Following Costello's goal the highly influential Conor McHugh struck over a point to move his side 3-6 to 1-10 clear.

The Na Fianna man was key over the close of the game as he fired over two more points from play as well as chipping over a 60th minute penalty after Lowndes had been fouled.

In the first half Dublin led 2-5 to 1-6 at the break but it should have been more after kicking eight wides as well as squandering a few goal-scoring opportunities.

However, Dublin did put together some excellent build up play while they also dominated around the middle of the park through the toil of Stephen Cunningham, Andrew Foley and the dynamic Shane Carthy.

Colm Basquel got Dublin's first goal in the 22nd minute after being put through on goal by an inch-perfect Costello handpass and two minutes later Costello found the net after a superb incisive run by McHugh who exhibited great team ethic by then placing his Whitehall Colmcille colleague.

SCORERS - Dublin: C Costello 2-2 (0-1f), M McHugh 0-5 (0-1 pen), C Basquel 1-0, S Carthy, A Foley, E Lowndes 0-1 each.Kildare: N Flynn 0-11 (0-6f, 0-2 ‘45’), M Sherry 1-0, N Kelly 0-1.

DUBLIN: L Molloy; D Byrne, E Murchan, E Mullan; E Lowndes, C Mullally, R McGowan; S Cunningham, S Carthy; N Scully, A Foley, G Burke; C Costello, C McHugh, C Basquel. Subs: E Fletcher for Mullan (inj 30+2), R Gaughan for Burke (38), A Byrne for Basquel (50), D Ó Cathmhaoil for Foley (53).

KILDARE: C Heeney; B Byrne, D Maguire, P Mescal; R Houlihan, D Hyland, D Duke; R Moore, P Connell; D Fitzpatrick, C Fenner, M Sherry; N Flynn, N Kelly, C Healy.Subs: L Healy for Byrne (27), C McMonagle for Moore (38), D Flaherty for C Healy (46), L Power for Connell (50), T Gibbons for Kelly (inj 57), J Costello for Houlihan (black card 60).

REF: N Ward (Westmeath).