DUBS IN EXTRA EFFORT.

Byline: DARAGH O CONCHUIR

LEINSTER MINORS Dublin 1-15 Kildare 1-10

EXTRA time kings Dublin did it again on Saturday.

They needed an added 20 minutes before accounting for a resilient Kildare in this ESB Leinster MFC final replay at Dr Cullen Park.

Cyril Kevlihan's crew have ended normal time level in every game of the campaign to date.

Extra time was also required against Laois and Offaly, meaning that it took Dublin 300 minutes to win three games.

Win them they did though, and they claimed the county's 27th title at this level in the process.

"We definitely did it the hard way again" said a very relieved boss Kevlihan.

"I've huge respect for Kildare.

"It took two games plus extra time and we just got out.

"It was a very hard fought game, a great game to win but there were two winners out there, and the big prize is still there for the both of us.

CHARACTER "It shows the character in the team (to keep winning in extra time).

"Football is a physical game so you have to have the mental toughness to hang in."

Kildare will rue their failure to make anything of their opening half dominance of possession.

They kicked seven wides in that period, while also dropping a couple of efforts into the hands of Dublin netminder David Downey.

Kildare were in front towards the end but a Hudson free brought the game to extra time.

Downey pulled off a magnificent save from Mulhall almost from the throw-in, but from thereon, it was all Dublin as Kildare ran out of steam.

The classy Sweeney, Duffy, Feargal Breathnach, Gerry Seaver and Hudson were the scorers as the Blues eventually pulled clear.

SCORERS: Dublin: P Hudson 1-4 (0-2f); G Sweeney 0-5; F Duffy 0-2; D Stapleton, F Breathnach, C Carr, G Seaver 0-1 each Kildare: P Cribbin 0-4; D Mulhall 1-1; C Reynolds 0-3; S Hurley 0-2.

CAPTION(S):

HARD WAY Cyril Kevlihan paid tribute to his squad