Costello heads ruthless Dublin attack to secure Under 21 Leinster title

Dublin 3-10 Kildare 1-12

Cormac Costello headed up a lethal full-forward line that delivered 3-7 in total to secure back-to-back Eirgrid Leinster Under-21 football titles for Dublin.

Senior star Costello made a timely return from injury with 2-2 in total at Pairc Tailteann as the holders eventually shrugged off a dogged Kildare challenge.

Dessie Farrell’s looked in real danger of slipping to defeat when they trailed the 2013 winners by two approaching the final quarter.

Neil Flynn was tremendous for Kildare with 0-11 in total and all of their second-half scores as they threatened a serious upset.

But Costello’s second goal in the 46th minute put Dublin ahead again and Dessie Farrell’s side didn’t look back after that.

Conor McHugh, another member of that full-forward line, scored three late points to secure their 12th provincial success.

The Pairc Tailteann win means Dublin will play the Munster champions in the All-Ireland semi-final on April 18th.

But they achieved victory the hard way having slipped behind in the second-half to all three teams they played; Laois, Longford and now Kildare.

Consecutive Flynn points early on nudged Kildare 0-4 to 0-3 ahead before the game turned sharply in Dublin’s favour.

In the space of just two minutes, they took full control of proceedings with goals from Colm Basquel and Costello.

Costello was the provider for the first after 22 minutes and Basquel applied an excellent low finish to the bottom left corner.

A minute later, Costello netted himself when he palmed in from close range after a surging Conor McHugh run.

Dublin suddenly led 2-3 to 0-4 and opened up with some fine point scoring after that.

They were six clear after 29 minutes and should have enjoyed a comfortable half-time advantage.

But Kildare pinched 1-1 before the break, capitalising on several minutes of injury-time for an injury to Emile Mullan.

Flynn booted over another point from a 45 before Mark Sherry hammered to the roof of the net from close range.

Dublin now led by just 2-5 to 1-6 and for the third game running faced into a testing second-half.

Worryingly for Dublin, they’d now conceded six goals in two and a half games.

But they always looked like scoring when attacking too so a rip roaring finale awaited.

Flynn shot four points in a row with three from frees, two of those long range efforts, to put the Lilies 1-10 to 2-5 ahead.

But that strong Dublin finish which was inspired by Costello’s goal when he followed up on Basquel’s shot off the post turned the game decisively in their favour.

McHugh could even afford to tap over a late penalty instead of going for goal. The spot kick arose when Kildare wing-back Ryan Houlihan dragged Scully to the ground and was black carded for the offence.

The four-point margin flattered Dublin in the end but their stranglehold of the province continues nonetheless.

Dublin: L Molloy, D Byrne, E Murchan, E Mullan, E Lowndes (0-1), C Mullally, R McGowan, S Cunningham, S Carthy (0-1), G Burke, A Foley (0-1), N Scully, C Costello (2-2, 0-1f), C McHugh (0-5, 1 pen), C Basquel (1-0).

Subs: E Fletecher for Mullan (30+2), R Gaughan for Burke (38), A Byrne for Basquel (50), D O Cathmhaoil for Foley (53).

Kildare: C Heeney, B Byrne, D Maguire, P Mescal, R Houlihan, D Hyland, D Duke, R Moore, P Connell, D Fitzpatrick, C Fenner, M Sherry (1-0), N Flynn (0-11, 6f, 2 45), N Kelly (0-1), C Healy.

Subs: L Healy for Byrne (27), C McMonagle for Moore (38), D Flaherty for Healy (46), L Power for Connell (50), T Gibbons for Kelly (57), J Costello for Houlihan (60, B/C).

Referee: N Ward (Westmeath).