Dublin 1-10 Donegal 1-8:There was high drama to the end before Dublin secured their second All-Ireland under-21 football title in stoppage time against Donegal at Breffni Park.
The game was on a knife-edge and could easily have turned only for Donegal captain Michael Murphy hitting the crossbar with a stoppage time penalty.
The Dublin fans, who were the minority of the 8,492 in attendance at the Cavan venue, were in full voice come the final whistle, as much in relief as anything else. Their previous win at this level in 2003 was also at Breffni Park.
Murphy had a busy afternoon but struggle to make the breakthrough for the Ulster champions. Several half chances were squandered before he found the Dublin goal when he received substitute Cillian Morrison's return pass before firing into an empty Dublin net.
Donegal led at the break 1-04 to 0-06 and the long ball played a key role in Donegal’s tactics.
Dublin, however, took the lead on 47 minutes when substitute David Quinn picked out a pass for Gary Sweeney, who kept his composure to put his team ahead with a well taken goal.
Both sides traded points but Dublin were determined to protect their narrow lead. Morrison then won a penalty in injury time but Murphy was cruelly denied by the woodwork.
Dublin: V Whelan, E Culligan, R O'Carroll, D Nelson, J Cooper, J McCarthy, N Devereux (0-1), S Murray, C Mullins, M Coughlan (0-1), T Furman, G Sweeney (1-1), R McCarthy (0-1), D Rock (0-4, 2f, 1 '45), C Dorney (0-1). Substitutes: D Quinn for McCarthy (h-t), C Redddin for McCarthy (42), B O'Rourke (0-1) for Furman (48), S McGuinness for Nelson (50), N Brogan for Dorney (73)
Donegal: P Boyle, E Doherty, C Boyle, P McGrath, D Walsh, T McKinley, C Classon, K Mulhern, D Curran, M McHugh, M Murphy (1-2, 1f), D Molloy (0-5, 4f), J Carroll, L McLoone, A McFadden Substitutes: C Morrison (0-1) for McFadden (28), D Murphy for McKinley (28), C McGinley for Carroll (63), S O'Kennedy for Curran (67)
Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).