Dublin 0-11
Cavan 0-10

Dublin were made to delve deep into their considerable reservoir of talent to see off a spirited Cavan side in the second of today's All-Ireland U-21 FC semi-finals in Portlaoise.

The Breffni County had their noses in front for the majority of the contest but all-black Dublin drew level with five minutes to go and a controversial 59th minute free by Cormac Costello proved sufficient to see Dessie Farrell's charges book a final appearance against Roscommon.

Referee Derek O'Mahoney incurred the wrath of Cavan supporters and players alike as he left the pitch following his awarding of a dubious looking free to Dublin substitute Gavin Ivory which ultimately decided the last four fixture.

Left corner-forward Joe Dillon was a constant thorn in the side of the Dublin defence during the opening period and the referee's decision to show him a black card in the second half would also have infuriated the Breffni faithful.

The same applies to the yellow card he showed Conor McHugh in the closing stages just minutes before the Dublin right corner-forward hit an equalising point.

Cavan would have had justifiable grounds to claim that McHugh should have been given a black card.

Dillon sent over three points as the Breffni County built up a 0-7 to 0-5 half-time advantage.

The Leinster champions' shooting let them down early on as they accumulated nine first half wides compared to their opponents two.

The most clearcut goal chance of that period also fell to the men from the capital but Costello was denied by James Farrelly's point blank save in the 28th minute.

Cavan extended their lead with points courtesy of Tom Hayes and Enda Flanagan (free) soon after the restart before substitute Emmet O Conghaile opened Dublin's second half account in the 35th minute.

Two quick-fire points from senior star Paul Mannion and another substitute, Ivory, brought Dublin to within striking distance - 0-9 to 0-8 - by the 44th minute.

Cavan were dealt a blow entering the final quarter when Dillon was shown that black card but Dublin's profligacy in front of the posts continued unabated as they increased their wide tally to 14 by the 50th minute.

Dillon's replacement Kevin Bouchier gave his side a two-point cushion but it was a one-point game soon after again when Costello raised his third white flag with eight minutes left on the clock.

Cavan supporters cried foul when McHugh escaped with a yellow card in the 53rd minute and two minutes later he had his side back on level terms - 0-10 apiece - with his third point of the day.

A point attempt by Cavan substitute Cian Byrne was well wide in the 58th minute and, scenting blood, Dublin went straight down the field and Costello sent over the free which came about following the foul on Ivory.

It was a bitter pill for the Ulster champions to swallow.

Dublin - L Molloy; R McGowan, D Byrne, R McDaid; E Lowndes, J Small, J McCaffrey; P O'Higgins, S Boland; N Scully (0-1), N Walsh, P Mannion (0-1); C McHugh (0-3), B Fenton, C Costello (0-4, 2f). Sub: E O Conghaile (0-1) for O'Higgins, G Burke for Walsh, G Ivory (0-1) for Boland, S Cunningham for Scully.

Cavan - J Farrelly; B Fortune, K Clarke, P Faulkner; G Smith, C Moynagh, C Brady (0-1); L Buchanan, M Argue (0-1); P Graham, E Flanagan (0-2f), A Watson; D McVeety, T Hayes (0-2), J Dillon (0-3). Sub: A O'Hara for Moynagh, K Bouchier (0-1) for Dillon (black), C Moynagh for Fortune, C Byrne for Flanagan, E Hession for Graham, G McGovern for Buchanan.

Referee: D O'Mahoney (Tipperary). Tweet

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