Cup overflows for brilliant Dublin

Dublin 2-18 Offaly 3-9:They say you need to lose a few finals before you win one, in which case Dublin can really afford to celebrate winning this Leinster Under-21 hurling title.

And it wasn't just that they ended the 35-year wait for it - they won with undeniable style and determination, brilliantly overcoming the equally determined Offaly.

In the end it must surely have been Dublin's greater desire that won out, because for long periods of the second half the game hung nervously in the balance.

Eventually, with the evening sun spreading across Parnell Park, Dublin's class rose to the top, and they claimed their first title in the grade since 1972, and only second ever.

It brought the mass of Dublin supporters spilling onto the pitch to witness John McCaffrey's winning speech and celebrate the county's second provincial title within a month, adding to the minor success.

"And we're not finished yet," said McCaffrey later. "This is going to be a stepping stone to senior success."

And who would deny Dublin hurling that? They had lost five under-21 finals in 10 years, including the last two, to Kilkenny. When it came down to winning this one they produced all the true essence of teamwork and team spirit, inspired in large part by McCaffrey's appearance in the second half, despite his chronic injury problems of late.

Belief was written all over this team as well, from the sensational contribution of midfielder Alan McCrabbe - who hit nine points - to the coolness of forward Peadar Carton, who sealed the win in the last minute with a thundering goal that pierced Offaly hearts.

On top of all that it would be hard to find a better 60 minutes of hurling all year - and for that, full credit must go to Offaly.

As a game it came in three servings: the first, Dublin's delicious appetiser; the second Offaly's surprisingly tasty response; the third and last the best - Dublin holding their opposition scoreless for the last 21 minutes and hitting an unanswered 1-6 to claw themselves back from what looked like a losing position.

For Offaly, who last won this title in 2000, there could be no complaints. They drew the best out of Dublin and some of the best hurling out of themselves, and when they pulled three points clear 10 minutes into the second half they seemed to have the winnings of it.

Instead they were forced to surrender to Dublin's quite phenomenal display of self-belief and will to win.

Losing here was not an option for Dublin, even if they had to win it the hard way.

And yet for much of the first half they were running circles around Offaly, killing them softly, and it seemed they were about to end their long wait for this title in the most emphatic style.

McCrabbe threw up a couple of monster scores, and Ross O'Carroll's goal after just four minutes helped push them into a 1-10 to 0-4 lead, a massive nine-point advantage, with just over 20 minutes played.

But that scenario changed drastically in the last five minutes of the half. Offaly got their first score in 15 minutes, a pistol-shot of a goal from Alan Egan, after Shane Dooley's long-range effort was deflected out by Dublin goalkeeper Patrick Curtin.

A minute later Derek Molloy was pulled over in front of goal and Offaly had a penalty - coolly converted by big Joe Bergin.

Moments later Ciarán Slevin and Shane Dooley swept forward for a point apiece and suddenly Offaly were back to the minimum - 1-10 to 2-6 - just on the blow of half-time.

Incredibly the battle gained even greater intensity in the second half, Dublin initially appearing to lose some composure, and Offaly appearing to find the winning edge.

Three minutes in, Derek Molloy claimed Offaly's third goal, helped on by some slack Dublin defending, and while the sides were level again shortly after, Offaly maintained their command with three big scores from Dooley, Seán Ryan and Bergin.

But that was to be their lot. Dublin brought in McCaffrey and straightaway he steadied nerves, hitting two great points in the process.

Dublin tightened up and raised spirits again, Diarmuid Connolly demonstrating his class and their defence, led admirably by Danny Webster, closing up shop.

Dublin were level again on 47 minutes, and then lorded the last 10. Shane Durkin also came up with a huge score, and suddenly Offaly were hunting for goals.

Dublin were having none of it; they went to the other end and inflicted further damage.

If only all finals could be won like this.

DUBLIN:P Curtin; R Drumgoole, P Callaghan, D Webster; K Dunne, T Brady (0-1), M McGarry; J Boland, A McCrabbe (0-9, five frees, one 65); E Moran, D Connolly (0-1), S Lehane (0-1); P Carton (1-2), D O'Dwyer (0-1), R O'Carroll (1-0). Subs: J McCaffrey (0-2) for Lehane (34 mins), S Durkin (0-1) for Moran (35 mins).

OFFALY:M Mulrooney; C Hernon, P Cleary, C Coughlan; D Kenny, B Leonard, B Watkins; S Ryan (0-1), C Mahon; D Horan (0-2, one free), D Molloy (1-0), C Slevin (0-3); S Dooley (0-2), J Bergin (1-1), A Egan (1-0). Subs: M Verney for Coughlan (25 mins), S Molloy for Horan (53 mins), K Grogan for Leonard (53 mins).

Referee:Seán Whelan (Wexford).