Bernard Brogan inspired Leinster to a 1-21 to 1-20 victory over Connacht in Longford.

Former Footballer of the Year Brogan fisted the winning point three minutes from the end as Pat Gilroy's charges finished with a flourish to book their place in the final. The winners registered the last six points of this match, including four from Dublin attacker Brogan.

Connacht led by 0-14 to 1-8 at half time, with Paul and Michael Conroy impressive as well as Leitrim captain Emlyn Mulligan.

Joe Sheridan's goal separated the sides early on, making it 1-2 to 0-2, and Leinster held a narrow 1-7 to 0-8 advantage after 22 minutes

Paul Conroy had opened the scoring for the westerners but Brogan replied and it was nip and tuck until Meath's Sheridan sent the ball to the back of the net.

Mulligan and Brogan tagged over a succession of points at either end and Wexford's Adrian Flynn produced one of the highlights of the first half when he raided forward from midfield to slot over an excellent Leinster point.

Mayo's Michael Conroy kept John Tobin's men in touch and the visitors fired over the last four points of the first half - two more Mulligan frees and one each from Mark Breheny and Paul Conroy (his third) - to lead by three at the short whistle.

John Heslin, Brogan and Redmond Barry fired over early Leinster scores after the restart, while Breheny's point ensured that Connacht kept their noses in front.

Leinster drew level through Louth's Paddy Keenan but the westerners were boosted by a Paul Conroy goal after a misjudgement by Stephen Cluxton as they pulled clear again in an exciting tussle, 1-20 to 1-15.

But Leinster refused to give up the ghost and Brogan's eighth point had them level again at the death, 1-20 each, before the same player sealed the win.

Leinster - S Cluxton; K Lillis, G Molloy, B Malone; M Quinn, G Brennan, A Flynn (0-3); M D Macauley (0-1), J Heslin (0-2); B Connor (0-2), R Barry (0-1), C O'Sullivan; D Dolan, J Sheridan (1-0), B Brogan (0-9). Subs: S McCormack (0-2) for Dolan, P Keenan (0-1) for Quinn, B Kavanagh for Brennan, P Flynn for Sheridan, J Stafford for Connor.

Connacht - D Clarke; G Cafferkey, F Hanley, J Moore; L Keegan (0-1), N Daly, G O'Donnell; J Gibbons, S O'Shea; M Breheny (0-3), E Mulligan (0-6), M Martin (0-1); J Doherty, P Conroy (1-5), M Conroy (0-4). Subs: M Gottsche for Martin, P Brennan for Gottsche.

Referee - D O' Mahony. Tweet

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