Dublin 0-18 Derry 0-15, by Ger Canning

Dublin advanced to the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals but had to survive a late Derry rally to ensure their place in the last four as they eventually held on to win by 0-18 to 0-15 at Croke Park today.

And they immediately need to acknowledge the part played in their victory by goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton and wing-half Barry Cahill.

But for their intervention, Derry would have certainly been in for second-half goals by either of the Bradley brothers.

Leading by two points at half-time, Dublin very nearly conceded goals in the first five minutes of the second half but on each occasion were rescued by the All Star goalie.

Eoin Bradley, a substitute introduced at the break, won possession in front of goal at the Hill 16 end. His rasping shot was straight at Cluxton, but in the follow-up effort older brother, Paddy was in to challenge for the loose possession, and again Cluxton showed his prowess.

Eoin Bradley also had another great goal-scoring chance in this dominant phase for the Oak Leafers, but again he found the goalkeeper from Parnell's unbeatable.

Then minutes from the finish, with the Dubs just those three points to the good, Paddy Bradley again was menacingly bearing in on goal, only this time it took a full-blooded block by Cahill from St Brigid's to keep the ball out of the Dublin net.

Minutes later and it was celebration time for Paul Caffrey and his charges.

However, when they reflect on the 70 minutes of football, they will wonder why they allowed the Ulstermen a glimmer of hope so late in the contest. For much of the second half, Dublin held a six point advantage and looked to be coasting.

But full credit to the defiant attitude of Paddy Crozier's team. Other sides have wilted in the face of great odds. Not this Derry team.

They created as many chances as their much-vaunted opponents, indeed just edged it, in fact. (28 chances to Derry, against 27 for Dublin)

Paul Murphy had given Derry an early lead in an entertaining first half, watched by 80,213. Indeed, all their first-half scores came from play, whereas the Leinster champions were glad that Mark Vaughan was at his most consistent from free-kicks. He finished the match with six pointed frees, including three 45s.

Both defences looked highly suspect at times in the first half. Bernard Brogan, Dublin's left half-forward was highly prolific in that opening period, hitting three points from play, and in the process giving Francis McEldowney a torrid time.

At the other end, Dublin's full-back line looked far from the perfect unit.

Rookie full-back Ross McConnell was in major trouble with the crafty Paddy Bradley. The Glenullin marksman was to finish with six points to his credit, and leave something of a wreckage in his wake.

McConnell was taken off the No 14, and the selectors quickly opted to put their best man-marker, Paul Griffin, on the gifted Bradley, who still managed six points.

It was to take Dublin 17 minutes to get their first point from play, courtesy of Bernard Brogan. His older brother Alan was again causing bother with his darting, angled runs, and his assured scoring ability.
He was to finish the match with three points alongside his name.

As ever, Dublin depended heavily on the prompting of Ciaran Whelan in midfield, even though Derry continued to look dangerous.

Four points by the visitors in six minutes (about 65 minutes into the contest) left many in the crowd with a very uneasy feeling.

Then came a brilliant Cluxton save, and immediately the ball was worked cleverly up the field by his team-mates. The forwards scrapped for possession and a brilliant Jason Sherlock point resulted.

The last five minutes saw Dublin fighting to hold on to their lead, and but for Cahill's much-heralded final block on Bradley, the teams could well have been facing a replay.

When Dublin were good, they were very good, and when they were bad their fans were near despair.

Their reward is a place in the semi-finals in two weeks' time.