St Declan's edge thriller Colleges'

Dublin Senior Football final/ St Declan's College 4-11;Colaiste Eoin 4-8: For the second year running St Declan's College, Cabra, were brought to extra-time in the Dublin championship decider only to produce a late surge to edge out their opponents.

Three minutes into injury time, at the end of the extra 20 minutes, Willie Tyrell fired home the decisive goal. But that telling score was just the last act in a drama that ebbed and flowed all afternoon. Yet, the possessive dominance of St Declan's in the closing stages proved decisive.

In the first-half St Declan's looked to be slipping out of the contest but a soccer-style finish to the net from Dublin minor James Brogan left them just a point adrift at the break, 2-3 to 1-5.

Niall Ó Beachain delivered Coláiste Eoin's third goal from the penalty spot early in the second half to give them a 3-5 to 1-7 lead. And that seemed to be that.

But St Declan's stormed back, eventually coming to within three points of their rivals. Cue pandemonium. Tyrell was pushed over in the area for a penalty. Ian Fleming stepped up, struck it well, only for Daithí Mac Con Adhastar to block. However, from the rebound Liam Fleming bundled the ball into the net.

Four minutes into added time Coláiste Eoin appeared to have again done enough when Cuan Ó Flatharta knocked over a point.

But back came the Cabra School and after a some strong running by corner back Paul Brogan, Dublin minor James Brogan (both from the famous Dublin footballing clan) levelled the contest at 2-9 to 3-6.

In extra-time Brogan and Marc Cahill points pulled St Declan's clear of their southside opponents but substitute Barra Ó Ruairc regained the lead for Coláiste Eoin with the game's sixth goal. Barely a minute later Cahill injured himself in scoring another goal to swing the pendulum north once more.

Tyrell eventually settled the contest with the final throw of the dice, set up by a block by James Brogan on Ó Maoílmhichíl.

Scorers: St Declan's College: M Cahill 1-5 (4f), J Brogan 1-3, I Fleming 1-2, W Tyrell 1-0, C Curtin 0-1. Colaiste Eoin: C Ó Flatharta 1-5 (goal sideline, 1f), N Ó Beachain 2-0 (1 pen), B Ó Ruairc 1-0, A Ó Cochláin, A Ó Maoílmhichíl, E Ó Múrchú 0-1 each.

St Declan's College: Philip Brogan; Paul Brogan, D Redmond, S McMahon; B McInerney, C Plunkett (capt), C Dorney; W Tyrell, P Curtin; J Brogan, L Fleming, E Maguire; I Fleming, M Cahill, C Curtin. Subs: D Stephens for E Maguire (42 mins), P Kearney for P Curtin (55 mins), S O'Brien for M Cahill (80 mins), Cahill for Kearney (82 mins).

Colaiste Eoin: D Mac Con Adhastar; D Mac Aogáin, S Ó hAoláin, C Mac Eoin; D Ó Cáthain, D Breathnach, N Ó Concubhair; A Ó Cochláin, A Ó Maoilmhichil; E Ó Múrchú, C Ó hUallaigh, S Ó Ruairc; C Ó Flatharta, N Ó Múrchú, N Ó Beachain. Subs: A Ó hOibicin for D Ó Cáthain (37-40 mins), A Ó hOibicin for D Ó Cáthain (43 mins), B Ó Ruairc for N Ó Múrchú (51 mins), D Ó Cáthain for E Ó Múrchú (75 mins).

Referee: J Turner (Thomas Davis).