Dublin 0-17 Monaghan 0-16
Holders Dublin are just 70 minutes away from a three-in-a-row of Allianz Football League titles after braving Monaghan's dogged challenge to return to yet another final at Croke Park.
Four late points without reply from their top scorer Dean Rock, Emmet O'Conghaile and Jack McCaffrey ultimately sealed the Dubs' 26 April final place alongside Cork.
But a Dublin side without key duo Bernard Brogan and Rory O'Carroll were made to fight all the way by a determined Monaghan side.
Those four late Dublin scores put them three clear. Monaghan fought to the death and reduced the gap to one in injury-time but couldn't find the equalising score.
There was some consolation for the Ulster outfit as Conor McManus claimed the Man of the Match award after giving an inspirational display and scoring eight points.
Dublin took a 0-09 to 0-07 lead into the interval and just about deserved their early advantage after a tense opening. Monaghan defended in numbers when Dublin attacked which was perhaps to be expected.
Their last Croke Park clash with Dublin in the 2014 Championship ended in a 17-point battering. When the sides met in the final round of the league last weekend, Dublin were again double digit victors.
So Monaghan regularly got 12 and 13 men behind the ball, often leaving McManus isolated in attack.
Malachy O'Rourke's side did go forward in numbers when in possession, however, and picked off some fine points with an efficient display.
McManus was man marked by David Byrne until the 52nd minute when Jonny Cooper was moved onto him. The Clontibret attacker gave Byrne a torrid time and scored six points off him.
The ex-All Star escaped for two early points from play and another from a free after a foul on Owen Duffy.
Kieran Hughes boomed over a beauty from distance too as did Neil McAdam while goalkeeper Rory Beggan nailed a free from all of 55 metres out.
Points came slightly easier to Dublin initially though and they also had a great goal chance when Cian O'Sullivan dragged a 30th minute shot wide.
Dublin defender Philly McMahon strode forward for two points while Rock hit three points in the opening half, all from placed balls.
Dubs rookie Brian Fenton closed out the first-half scoring and doubled his tally in the 42nd minute.
But Monaghan were the dominant force for much of the second-half and turned in a powerful display.
McManus kicked three more scores from play in a row before Byrne was substituted.
Dick Clerkin was excellent as a sub, scoring three points in all that helped Monaghan draw level at 0-13 apiece.
They remained tied with six minutes remaining but Dublin edged a tense finale thanks to those late points from Rock, O Conghaile and McCaffrey.
Dublin: S Cluxton, J Cooper, David Byrne, J McCaffrey (0-01), J Small, P McMahon (0-02), J McCarthy, D Bastick (0-01), C O'Sullivan, P Flynn (0-01), D Connolly, B Fenton (0-02), K McManamon (0-02), D Rock (0-07, 0-06f, 0-01 45), C Kilkenny.
Subs: MD Macauley for O'Sullivan, P Andrews for McManamon, D Daly for Byrne, E O Conghaile (0-01) for Bastick, C Costello for Fenton, T Brady for Flynn.
Monaghan: R Beggan (0-01, 0-01f), F Kelly, K Duffy, R Wylie, K O'Connell, V Corey, N McAdam (0-01), D Hughes, P Finlay (0-01, 0-01f); D Mone, K Hughes (0-02), T Kerr, R McAnespie, C McManus (0-08, 0-03f), O Duffy.
Subs: D Clerkin (0-03) for Kerr, D Malone for Duffy, S Gollogly for McAnespie, P McKenna for Finlay, D McKenna for O'Connell.
Referee: R Hickey (Clare).
