KERRY's victory in the All Ireland under 21 football, final in Thurles yesterday was achieved with a devastating late show of strength that broke Cavan hearts. In less than three minutes, Kerry gave an even match the look of a stroll.

A draw seemed the more likely result moments before Kerry found the space and the accuracy to tack on four match clinching points.

A devastated Cavan side performed well enough to earn a draw at least. However, they were the architects of their own destruction in several respects. Eleven wides, against five for Kerry, was a big contributing factor.

Kerry's astonishing finish was ignited by Michael F Russell in the 59th minute and rounded off by Liam Hassett during the second minute of injury time. Cavan were denied the time to even attempt a reply.

The quietness of the Kerry dressing room, remarked On by team's co manager Paidi O Se, reflected just how close Kerry had gone to losing their title. O Se broke the solemn mood by saying: "Ye are all very quiet, you would think ye had lost it." It signalled the beginning of the party.

Kerry's experience was an important factor. Cavan thrived for most of the game on the strength of their halfbacks and midfield. There were anomalies in some of the performances, though. While team captain Peter Reilly proved a steadying influence at centre back his opponent for much of the game, substitute John Brennan, scored 1-2.

Brennan was drafted into the Kerry attack as early as the 6th minute to replace the injured Brian Clarke. Brennan left his mark, for apart from his scoring contribution he had also laid on chances for others.

O Se's post match assertion that Kerry scored every time they went forward was not entirely accurate, but they did impress, especially when midfielder Dara O Se and left wing forward Dara O Cinneide were involved. These two Kerry players, both senior players, used their experience to the full.

"It's difficult to beat that sort of experience," said Cavan manager Martin McHugh. "But we have nobody but ourselves to blame. You can't throw away chances like that and expect to win."

Cavan were indeed the pacemakers for the most part. Their first goal came eight minutes from half time for a 1-4 to 0-4 lead. The move for the goal was initiated by centre back Reilly who sent Jason Reilly away down the middle. The Cavanman stumbled out of a half trip, but Westmeath referee Peter Casserly allowed play to carry on. It proved a good decision: Reilly crashed the ball to the net.

Cavan were leading Kerry a merry dance at this point. Wing backs Paul Brady, who had a particularly fine game, and Mark McGauran were regularly breaking out of defence as was Peter Reilly.

Dermot McCabe and Terry Farrelly were proving the ideal midfield links and Larry Reilly and Jason Reilly were proving a handful for the Kerry full back line.

Peter Reilly got forward again to place McCabe for Cavan's fifth point, which gave the Ulster men a 1-5 to 0-4 advantage six minutes from half time. McGauran got forward to stretch that lead to five points with two minutes of the half remaining.

However, Kerry's reply was clinical. A John Brennan goal, following quickly on a Russell point, left only one point between the teams at the interval.

Cavan's showed an inability to consolidate their advantage in the second half. Kerry had the ball in their net moments after the restart, but the score was disallowed. Still, O Cinneide, with a huge point off a line ball from the left, and Liam Hassett gave the Munster men the lead by the 34th minute.

In general play, Cavan continued to be impressive, but their finishing deteriorated further. Midfielder Dermot McCabe identified what he thought was the turning point in the match when he said: "We failed to push home our advantage after we got the second goal."

That goal came from Michael Graham after great work by Paul Brady and substitute Brian Mullvaney with nine minutes remaining. It rocked Kerry back and gave Cavan a one point advantage.

Instead of Cavan building on the goal, it was Kerry, through Russell, who had the next score to level.

Kerry's points blitz followed.