Wexford's U21 hurlers battled to an outstanding 3-15 to 3-12 victory over Dublin at Parnell Park to advance to the Leinster final, where they'll meet Galway.

In an absorbing contest, the winners came from behind to deservedly progress to that July 4^th showdown with the westerners, while they are also assured of an All-Ireland semi-final place on August Bank Holiday weekend. Brilliant midfielder Joe O'Connor (1-3), Rory O'Connor and Mickey Dwyer all netted for the victors after the restart.

The opening period was tightly contested and Colin Currie's major was the difference between the teams at the break as Dublin led 1-8 to 0-8.

Joe O'Connor and Aaron Maddock had the visitors up and running with the game's first two points but the Dubs drew level with points from Currie (free) and Donal Burke before the former nudged the hosts in front with nine minutes played.

Currie's third (free) following a foul on Burke made it double scores and the Dubs kicked on with a 13^th-minute Currie goal as they roared into a six-point lead with ten minutes left before the break, 1-7 to 0-4, with Burke and Currie continuing to score almost at will.

O'Connor's second kept the Model men ticking over and a trio of Seamus Casey frees had them back within two points approaching the interval, 1-7 to 0-8. Cian O'Sullivan reacted quickest to add to Dublin's tally on the stroke of half time after Currie's free struck the woodwork.

The visitors were playing into the wind when the action resumed but Joe O'Connor's major quickly drew them level and four points were traded from placed balls before Casey's 41^st-minute free propelled the Slaneysiders back in front.

Tom Mullally's lads pushed on when Rory O'Connor - one of six seniors in their starting XV - fired their second goal at the midway stage in the second half and a Casey point from play had five between them with ten minutes to go.

Currie's second major on 54 minutes had the cat amongst the pigeons but substitute Garry Molloy and Casey (free - bringing his tally to 0-8) pointed for the winners to give them a four-point cushion. When Eoghan Conroy hit back, Dwyer chipped in with the third Wexford goal to all but seal their place in the provincial decider and the All-Ireland series.

Rory Higgins' point left seven between them with the hour played and Paul O'Brien's lads finished strongly with a Daire Gray '65' and a last-gasp goal Eoghan Dunne goal … but their race was run.

Wexford - L Henebery; S Bardon, D Byrne, C Firman; A Maddock (0-1), D Reck, I Carthy; S Reck, R White; J O'Connor (1-3), R O'Connor (1-0), L Stafford; S O'Gorman (0-1), O Foley, S Casey (0-8, 7f). Subs: G Molloy (0-1) for C Firman, R Higgins (0-1) for S Bardon, M Dwyer (1-0) for O Foley, E Kelly for L Stafford.

Dublin - D Perry; S Howard, P Smyth, D Ryan; E Conroy (0-1), C Burke, D Gray (0-1'65); F Whitely, C Ryan; C Dowling, P Crummey, R Hayes; C O'Sullivan, D Burke (0-3), C Currie (2-7, 0-4f). Subs: C Costello for C O'Sullivan, L Gannon for C Dowling, C Hendricken for S Howard, S Currie for F Whitely, E Dunne (1-0) for R Hayes.

Referee - D Hughes.

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