Dublin are one victory away from a sixth successive All-Ireland title after beating Cavan by 1-24 to 0-12 at chilly Croke Park.

Without being anywhere near their best, the Leinster champions cantered through to the novel 2020 Sam Maguire Cup decider, wherein they will lock horns with either Mayo or Tipperary in a fortnight.

The Dubs led by twelve points to seven at the break, having played into the Davin End with the icy breeze at their backs, the Ulster champions having seven different scorers before the break. The five-in-a-row winners had a fortunate let-off in the first half when Jonny Cooper – parachuted into their team at the eleventh hour – escaped a black card when tripping Martin Reilly, although this was arguably balanced up by the number of fouls on Ciaran Kilkenny that went unpunished.

The ten-in-a-row Leinster winners powered into this game with resounding victories over Westmeath, Laois and Meath in their province, while the defiant Breffni boys – fresh from being relegated to Division Three - upset all the odds in Ulster, claiming their first Anglo-Celt Cup success in 23 years by coming from behind in all four of their outings against Monaghan, Antrim, Down and Donegal. But they weren’t at the races tonight as the Dublin juggernaut moved ominously onwards.

The Sam Maguire Cup holders won the toss and opted to play with the assistance of a stiff breeze in the first half, attacking the Davin End. Reilly had the visitors ahead inside just 13 seconds and James Smith – a late addition to their starting XV – restored Cavan’s lead after Kilkenny had equalised, Brian Fenton on hand to ensure that it was two points apiece after five minutes.

Robbie McDaid nudged the Leinster champions ahead for the first time but Thomas Galligan drew the sides level for the third and final time with a wonderful point. The gap was two after ten minutes, however, Con O’Callaghan and Dean Rock adding to the holders’ tally, Rock’s left-footed effort making it double scores and three without reply for Dessie Farrell’s men. The margin was three at the first water break, centre back Ciaran Brady slotting a superb Cavan point after Rock’s free added to the winners’ tally.

In what was the first championship meeting of these counties in 78 years, Fenton’s delightful strike from 50 metres made it eight points to four, Rock’s fourth point leaving five between the sides with 20 minutes played. Gearoid McKiernan and Chris Conroy (free) pointed either side of an elegant Kilkenny point and it was a four-point game with half an hour played.

Niall Scully slipped when going for goal as the Dubs strived to pull away, Rock and Small taking turns to point off their weaker sides before Oisin Kiernan closed the first-half scoring.

Cavan's Conor Smith and Davy Byrne of Dublin. ©INPHO/Bryan Keane.

O’Callaghan flicked a left-handed effort over via the top of the crossbar from a tight angle four minutes after the restart; Conor Madden replied but not before Fenton and Paddy Small (advanced mark) added to the victors’ swelling haul. With ten minutes gone in the second half, the industrious Reilly got back well to tip Kilkenny’s drop-shot over for a Dublin point instead of a goal - 0-16 to 0-8.

Padraig Faulkner dispossessed O’Callaghan to also deny Dublin a goal but O’Callaghan’s classy strike ensured that the reigning champions led by nine at the second water break, with 19 minutes left. It was looking ominous long before Kilkenny extended the gap to ten by pointing an advanced mark…

Reilly pulled one back but quickfire points from O’Callaghan, Man of the Match McDaid and substitute Brian Howard had the hosts a dozen points clear with as many minutes remaining. Again, it was Reilly who replied – with his third – before Kiernan and James Smith pulled the deficit back to nine. This was the only time the losers managed to string points together.

The inevitable Dublin goal arrived on 65 minutes when – seconds after substitute Philly McMahon screwed a shot wide - McDaid palmed Rock’s handpass delivery past Galligan to the net from close quarters – 1-21 to 0-12! The outstanding Fenton (with his fourth), Rock and substitute Cormac Costello registered the last three scores as the champions prevailed pulling away, Cavan losing Thomas Galligan to a red card (two yellows) deep into injury time. It’s been an unprecedented year on so many levels, but some things haven’t changed.

Dublin - S Cluxton; M Fitzsimons, D Byrne, J Cooper; E Murchan, J Small, R McDaid (1-2); B Fenton (0-4), J McCarthy; N Scully, C Kilkenny (0-4, 1m), S Bugler; P Small (0-2, 1m), C O'Callaghan (0-4), D Rock (0-6, 2f). Subs: B Howard (0-1) for S Bugler, P McMahon for J Cooper, P Mannion for P Small, C Costello (0-1) for N Scully, C Basquel for D Rock.

Cavan - R Galligan; J McLoughlin, P Faulkner, K Clarke; G Smith, Ciaran Brady (0-1), L Fortune; T Galligan (0-1), K Brady; M Reilly (0-3), G McKiernan (0-1f), O Kiernan (0-2); C Madden (0-1), C Conroy (0-1f), J Smith (0-2). Subs: C Smith for K Brady, S Murray for C Conroy, N Murray for K Clarke, Conor Brady for C Smith, S Smith for C Madden.

Referee - C Branagan.

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