Dublin 2-14
Kildare 0-17

Dublin are celebrating a Leinster U-21 FC three-in-a-row for the first time in their history following an epic extra-time final win over Kildare in Pairc Tailteann today.

A Cillian O'Shea goal in the first period of extra-time swung the keenly contested encounter in the Dubs' favour after the sides had finished level (Dublin 1-11, Kildare 0-14) at the end of the regulation sixty minutes.

The outstanding Neil Flynn, who finished the game with 10 points to his name, responded with a pointed free for Kildare but it wasn't enough to prevent Dublin from replicating their final success of 12 months ago.

Earlier on it looked as though the Lilywhites were going to exact revenge for last year's final loss when they raced into a 0-9 to 0-2 lead after 25 minutes of play.

Ben McCormack was a constant thorn in the side of the sky blues' defence and he hit five points during that purple patch for Brian Murphy's side.

But Con O'Callaghan's 27th minute goal sparked Dublin into life and they soon set about the task of reeling in their opponents.

Dublin's Andrew Foley and Eoin Murchan lift the Leinster U21FC silverware. ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan.

Despite all their early dominance, Kildare led by just 0-10 to 1-5 at the halfway stage after Glenn O'Reilly brought the curtain down on the first-half scoring.

The team in sky blue started the second-half where they left off in the first-half with Andy Foley reducing the deficit to the bare minimum.

The pendulum swung to and fro throughout the second-half and Kildare substitute Mark Sherry spurned a glorious goal chance right at the death as the sides finished level.

Dublin subsequently outscored their opponents by 1-3 to 0-3 during extra-time with O'Shea's goal proving to be the difference at referee John Hickey's final whistle.

O'Callaghan, who top scored for the winners with 1-7, sent over a late insurance point via a free and the young Dubs now advance to an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Mayo or Roscommon which is scheduled for April 16.

Dublin - L Molloy; E Smith, S McMahon, D Monaghan; C O'Shea (1-0), B Howard (0-1), M Cahilan (0-1); A Foley (0-1f), D McIlghorm; K Deeley, C Basquel (0-1), G O'Reilly (0-2); C Sallier (0-1), C O'Callaghan (1-7, 0-5f), D Spillane. Subs: S Clayton for C O'Shea, A Elliot for D McIlghorm, P Small for D Spillane, E Murchan for D Monaghan, M Deegan for A Elliot, C O'Shea for C Sallier, K Doherty for G O'Reilly, D Spillane for E Murchan, T O'Sullivan for E Smith.

Kildare - D Campbell; P Mescall, D Maguire, E Bateman; R Houlihan, S Ryan, B Byrne; L Flynn, P Connell (0-1); C Kavanagh, C McMonagle, C Hartley; B McCormack (0-5), C Healy (0-1), N Flynn (0-10, 5f, 1'45). Subs: M Hyland for B Byrne, R Feely for C Hartley, M Sherry for C McMonagle, C Scanlan for C Healy, B Kelly for C Scanlan, C Scanlan for B McCormack, D Malone for D Maguire, C Healy for R Feely.

Referee - J Hickey.

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