A much improved second-half performance saw Dublin shake off a dogged Meath challenge and advance to their second consecutive Leinster final.

After a tight first half, the sides went in level at 0-6 each. However, Dublin increased the tempo in the second half.

After going behind for the first time in the game to a Philip Tracey point a minute after the restart, they found another gear to finally pull away.

A point from Stephen Mills was followed by a goal from full forward Declan Lally in the 38th minute.

Meath spurned a glorious chance to cancel that goal out two minutes later when Michael Lowther's effort was well saved by Dublin goalkeeper Vincent Galvin.

The introduction of Cillian O'Driscoll helped to turn the tide for Dublin. After twice pointing himself, it was his ability to deprive Meath of possession that helped keep Dublin maintain their lead. After Meath's Ivan McCormack crashed the ball against the crossbar late on, Dublin went on to deliver the killer blow as Sean Breheny side-footed the ball to the net in injury-time after a goalmouth scramble to leave Dublin comfortable winners.

Dublin: V Galvin; N Kane, G Coughlan, D Murray; S McCann, A Cleere, N O'Driscoll; S Walsh (0-3 three frees), P Hayden; K Devine, L Og O hEineachain (0-1), G Joyce; S Mills (0-6, six frees), D Lally (1-1), J Waldron (0-1). Subs: C O'Driscoll (0-2) for Devine (41 mins), S Breheny (1-0) for Waldron (58 mins).

Meath: J O'Brien; G Beirne, K Slattery, R Flanagan; S Harman, G Farrelly (0-1), B Kelly; S Crawford, N Ronan (0-1); P Tracey (0-2), S McKeighue (0-1), M Doran (0-1); S Harte, M Lowther (0-1), I McCormack (0-3, three frees). Subs: T Brosnan for Harte (51 mins), B McCormack for Crawford (51), J O'Reilly for Tracey (55 mins).

Referee: P O'Reilly (Longford).