Leinster and All-Ireland champions Dublin posted six points on the spin late on to overcome a spirited Longford in an exciting Eirgrid Leinster Under 21 FC semi-final at Pairc Tailteann Navan on Wednesday night.

Dublin ........ 2-15
Longford .... 3-7

For three quarter of this enthralling tie Longford stayed with Dessie Farrell's charges before Dublin upped a gear to secure a Leinster final date with Kildare on April 2.

Longford came into this game with big wins over Wicklow and Louth and for three-quarters of the game were in with a chance of atoning defeat to Dublin at the same stage last year.

Dublin had 11 points to spare against Laois in their previous encounter, but needed the final six scores to prevail here. Wing-back Eric Lowndes gave them a 50th minute lead, 2-11 to 3-7, which they retained to the end.

An engrossing first-half, with underdogs Longford buoyed up by vocal support. They were the last team to beat Dublin in the Leinster Under 21 FC, with a 1-6 to 1-5 success at Parnell Park two years ago.

Underdogs Longford hit the front inside 70 seconds when Larry Moran goaled with a low shot having cut in along the end line. Moran turned provider for the next score which arrived in the sixth minute when Patrick Kiernan fisted over.

The holders got off the mark eight minutes in when Killian O'Gara (brother of senior star Eoghan) netted from the edge of the small square with support from Andy Foley and Colm Basquel.

After that initial shock Dublin took control but hit four wides in the opening 12 minutes and dropped a further three efforts in the hands of Longford 'keeper Colm Farrell.

Those misses cost Dublin when Liam Connerton netted Longford's second goal with a fine drive in the 13th minute. By the mid-point of the opening half the Dubs had chalked up five wides at the town goal and were 1-1 to 2-1 in arrears.

Two Conor McHugh points (one free) trimmed the deficit to the minimum by the 17th minute. The Dublin number 14 then tied the scores for the second time with a third of the hour gone.

Longford levelled through a Larry Moran free before Dublin Colm Basquel netted Dublin's second goal with wing-back Eoin Murchan - a young man with Moynalty lineage - providing the assist.

With their entire first-half tally courtesy of their full-forward line, Dublin were 2-5 to 2-4 ahead at the break but had registered eight wides to Longford's two by this stage.

The second-half started in similar fashion to the first with to the first with Connerton netting his second goal with barely 100 seconds gone to restore Longford's lead.

Two McHugh points in quick succession had Dublin back in front by the 38th minute before Andy Foley doubled the Dubs' advantage.

Larry Moran was wide with a scorable Longford free but popped up seconds later to set up Patrick Kiernan for a point that cut the gap the minimum. The scores were tied for the fourth time when sub David McGivney pointed a 44th minute free, it levelled matters for the fifth time, 3-6 to 2-9.

Wing-back Dessie Reynolds was quick to put Longford back in front but Dublin finished the stronger to advance to the provincial final

Dublin - L Molloy; S Clayton, D Byrne, R McGowan; E Lowndes (0-2), C Mullally, E Murchan; S Cunningham, S Carthy; G Burke, A Foley (0-1), N Scully (0-3); K O'Gara (1-2), C McHugh (0-5, 1f), C Basquel (1-1). Subs: R Gaughan for G Burke, A Byrne (0-1) for K O'Gara, M Deegan for C Basquel.

Longford - C Farrell; R Sweeney, A Farrell, C Shields; L Sullivan, C Farrelly, D Reynolds (0-1); F Sheridan, A Dalton (0-1); R McNerney, S Kenny, R Connor; L Moran (1-1, 0-1f), P Kiernan (0-2), L Connerton (2-1). Subs: D McGivney (0-1f) for F Sheridan, P Farrell for A Farrell, N Rabbitte for P Kiernan.

Referee - J Hickey.

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