Wexford ... 1-15, Dublin ... 0-15 Three points in the closing minutes of extra-time gave Wexford a magnificent victory over Dublin in this enthralling Leinster Under-21 hurling final at Portlaoise yesterday evening.

Playing with great pace and skill Dublin took the game to the reigning champions and were unfortunate to not gain at least a draw - Wexford led for the first time when Rory Jacob pointed them in front after 59 minutes.

Dublin started at blistering speed, and should have had a goal within 60 seconds, when corner-forward David O'Callaghan found himself inside the defence, but keeper Matty White somehow managed to push his low drive around the post, leaving Conal Keaney to point the resulting 65.

The challengers scored wonderful early points, from Seán O'Shea - off the sideline - Paul Murray and David O'Callaghan to lead 0-4 to 0-1, and extended their lead to 0-8 to 0-4 by half-time. But for the powerful hurling of David "Doc" O'Connor at full back, Wexford would have been further down.

Wexford started the second half with real intent, but Dublin centre back Stephen Hiney stood firm, with timely interceptions and lengthy clearances. Having lifted the siege Conal Keaney was fouled as he headed towards goal with David O'Callaghan pointing the resulting free to restore Dublin's advantage at 0-9 to 0-5.

Wexford's Barry Lambert moved into the half-forward line in an effort to break Hiney's dominance and it brought an immediate point. When Rory Jacob reduced the deficit to two points after 10 minutes Wexford looked set to take charge, but the Dublin response was swift, with David O'Callaghan scoring a great point from the sideline.

Dublin goalkeeper Gary Maguire saved superbly from MJ Furlong with 13 minutes remaining and they followed up with two points. When Darren Stamp had a 21 metre free saved with seven minutes remaining Wexford looked in serious trouble, but in a sensational finish Barry Lambert goaled two minutes into injury-time to force extra-time.

The sides were still deadlocked 1-10 to 0-13 at the end of the first period of extra-time, but points from Jacob, Lambert and Dessie Mythen saw Wexford retain the title.

WEXFORD: M White; P Donoghue, D O'Connor, T Hawkins; S O'Neill, J O'Connor, L Gleeson; D Stamp, K Rossiter; D Mythen (0-2), W Doran, MJ Furlong (0-1); R Jacob (0-3), B Lambert (1-8), D Lyng. Subs: E Quigley (0-1) for Gleeson; E Keeling for O'Neill; A O'Leary for Quigley; Gleeson for Keeling

DUBLIN: G Maguire; K Elliott, S Dealy, P Brennan; D O'Reilly (0-1), S Hiney (0-1), P Kelly; S McCann, B O'Brien; P Murray (0-2), S O'Shea (0-2), C Keaney (0-3); D O'Callaghan (0-6), P Murray, S O'Neill. Subs: F Chambers for Murray; D Keane for O'Shea.

Referee: J Guinan (Kilkenny).