Under-21s win football championship for Dublin

Dublin 1-10 Donegal 1-8

High drama in stoppage time, but Dublin were crowned All-Ireland U21 football champions for just the second time.

This was just about as thrilling as it gets, and every last one of the 8,492 spectators at Breffni Park were on the edge of their seats as Donegal skipper Michael Murphy stepped up to hit the stoppage time penalty which would have won it for his side.

The Young Footballer of the Year went for power, and his kick smashed against the crossbar.

Dublin survived, and now they could celebrate Gary Sweeney’s 47th minute goal, which indeed proved to be the winner.

Dublin supporters were vastly outnumbered at the Cavan venue, but they made their presence felt at the final whistle with joyous scenes as skipper John Cooper took possession of the prized silverware.

The Leinster champions made the early running, and had points from Robert McCarthy and Dean Rock.

Full back Rory O’Carroll got the better of Murphy for the best part of the first half, but a couple of Dermot Molloy frees kept the Ulster champions close.

Dublin led by 0-3 to 0-2 at the end of the opening quarter, and eased further ahead with a long range score from Gary Sweeney.

With Sean Murray and Cian Mullins getting the edge at midfield, the Leinster champions stepped up the tempo, and went three clear when wing back Nicky Devereux cleverly rode a couple of tackles and finished with a neat point.

With Murphy isolated up front and largely ineffective, it was a source of significant worry to Tir Chonail manager Jim McGuinness that his side failed to score from play until two minutes before the break.

But they suddenly burst to life, opening up the Dublin defence to create two goal chances for Murphy.

The first, he dragged just the wrong side of a post, but made no mistake with the second, taking substitute Cillian Morrison’s return pass to plant in an empty net.

Amazingly, Donegal led at the break, by 1-4 to 0-6, and the long ball option was now the way to go for Jim McGuinness’ men.

It led to points for Murphy and Morrison as they went two clear, but the Dubs went back in front with a delightfully crafted goal on 47 minutes, sub David Quinn slipping the ball inside for Gary Sweeney to apply a classy finish.

Donegal responded with points from Molloy and Murphy, both from frees, but the Metropolitans had the bit between their teeth, and were determined to hold on.

They appeared to have done just that until the lively Morrison won a penalty deep into injury time, but Murphy was denied by the woodwork.

Dublin: V Whelan, E Culligan, R O’Carroll, D Nelson, J Cooper, J McCarthy, N Devereux (0-1), S Murray, C Mullins, M Coughlan (0-1), T Furman, G Sweeney (1-1), R McCarthy (0-1), D Rock (0-4, 2f, 1 ’45), C Dorney (0-1).

Subs: D Quinn for McCarthy (h-t), C Redddin for McCarthy (42), B O’Rourke (0-1) for Furman (48), S McGuinness for Nelson (50), N Brogan for Dorney (73)

Donegal: P Boyle, E Doherty, C Boyle, P McGrath, D Walsh, T McKinley, C Classon, K Mulhern, D Curran, M McHugh, M Murphy (1-2, 1f), D Molloy (0-5, 4f), J Carroll, L McLoone, A McFadden.

Subs: C Morrison (0-1) for McFadden (28), D Murphy for McKinley (28), C McGinley for Carroll (63), S O’Kennedy for Curran (67)

Referee: M Duffy (Sligo).