Dublin 0-11 Cavan 0-10

Dublin's strength in depth proved crucial as they just edged out a hard-working Cavan to book their place in the Cadbury's All-Ireland U21FC final against Roscommon.

Dessie Farrell had to field without Leinster final man of the match Shane Carthy, while the likes of Emmet Ó Conghaile and Gavin Ivory made an impact off the bench. In the end though, it took a pointed free by Cormac Costello in the 59th minute to put Dublin in front for the first time.

There were some unsightly scenes afterwards, as referee, Declan O'Mahoney had to be escorted from the pitch after being approached by an angry spectator as well as Cavan manager, Peter Reilly, members of the Cavan backroom staff and some Cavan players.

Excellent score
The Ulster outfit had given everything and made it very difficult for the Dubs to break them down although Farrell's men kicked eight first-half wides. Man of the match, Conor McHugh came up with three crucial points though, with his two first-half efforts helping keep Dublin in touch at half time (they trailed 0-7 to 0-5) while his third excellent score late on brought the sides level.

“I thought it was going from us when they went two points up with 10 minutes to go but our subs bench was unbelievable” said McHugh. “Emmet Ó Conghaile, Shane Cunningham, Gavin Burke . . . all the lads came on and contributed and that’s what it was down to.”

Tom Hayes and Joe Dillon benefited from a some quick, accurate kick-passing to trouble the Dublin defence in the first half, and Dillon’s three points helped Cavan into a four-point lead approaching half time.

Dublin finished with two points from Scully and Costello however, and only a splendid save by James Farrelly denied Costello a goal.

That was a rare Dublin goal chance however and an excellent point from Tom Hayes, followed by an Enda Flanagan free, put Cavan four up again t three minutes after the interval. But they only managed one more point in the remaining 27 minutes of the game.

Ó Conghaile lofted a monster point and Paul Mannion capitalised on some tremendous work by Jack McCaffrey to chip over. Ivory found the target from the next attack and the margin was down to one.

Hayes was a constant nuisance for the Dublin defence though and he set up Kevin Bouchier for a well-taken score that made it 0-10 to 0-8 with 10 remaining. The Dubs needed inspiration and it came from Costello, who drove in from the right flank before finishing excellently off his left with seven minutes remaining. McHugh levelled and Costello's late free proved all-important.
DUBLIN: L Molloy, R McGowan, D Byrne, R McDaid, S Boland, J Small, J McCaffrey, P O'Higgins, B Fenton, N Scully (0-1), E Lowndes, C Costello (0-4, 2fs), C McHugh (0-3), P Mannion (0-1), N Walsh. Subs: E Ó Conghaile (0-1) for O'Higgins (26 mins), G Burke for Walsh (39 mins), G Ivory (0-1) for Boland (39 mins), S Cunningham for Scully (56 mins ) .
CAVAN: J Farrelly, B Fortune, K Clarke, P Faulkner, G Smith, C Moynagh, C Brady (0-1), L Buchanan, P Graham, M Argue (0-1), E Flanagan (0-2, 2f), A Watson, D McVeely, T Hayes (0-2), J Dillon (0-3). Subs: A O'Hora for Moynagh inj (23), K Bouchier 0-1 for Dillon (46), Moynagh for Fortune (49 mins), E Hession for Graham (55), G McGovern for Buchanan (60+1).
Referee : D O'Mahoney (Tipperary)