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Result: Dublin 2-10 Down 0-13
Result: Cavan 0-11 Louth 1-05
21.10 So a late late show at Croke Park to finish the very successful Spring Series as Dublin score a last-gasp goal to take the victory and secure a place in this season's final. Down will feel like they should have got something out of game but they will rue too many wides. Dublin boss Pat Gilroy will be delighted with that result, securing their place in the final with six wins out of six in the Division 1 campaign.
Full-time - Dublin 2-10 Down 0-13
70 + 1 min Late drama as Alan Brogan profits from Caoimhin King's error and Brogan finishes superbly. A great poacher's effort and Dublin have earned the two points late on.
GOAL - DUBLIN - ALAN BROGAN
70 mins Bernard Brogan gets possession and hits a terrific point to square the game.
69 mins It's all about possession now as Down look to hold on for victory and they are doing a good job of it, winning a free as the clock ticks past 70 mins. Three minutes additional time to be played.
68 mins No mistake this time for Clarke as he puts Down a point up.
67 mins Coulter back on after the blood substitution and wins good ball, attracting the free leading to a yellow card for Paul Brogan. Surely Clarke will take his chance here to put Down ahead.
66 mins Clarke again goes very deep and gets chopped down by Bastick - in fact a high tackle around the neck leading to a yellow for Bastick and deserved as well.
64 mins Clarke comes very deep to set up an attack. Good tidy handpassing leads to McArdle getting fouled to give Clarke a pop at goal. The free drifts past the near post and Dublin relieved to see that go wide.
62 mins Another yellow card - this time Owen McArdle. A bit soft that one, to be honest for a foul on Brogan who was bringing the ball out of defence.
60 mins Nelson does well in midfield for Dublin after good battling by McAuley to win the ball. Quinn's effort drops into the hands of the keeper and Down clear.
58 mins Good play by Murtagh and the ball finds its way back to Conor McGinn who just gets his shot away and it is high and over the bar - sides are level. Coulter receiving some attention for a nose injury.
55 mins Eleven minutes since the last score in this game that has got a bit scrappy. Mossy Quinn breaks that particular statistic with a well taken free. Yellow card for Cullen for taking out Coulter. Clarke with a chance to put another score on the board with histrusty left foot. No problen for Marty. One point game once again.
54 mins Brogan hits a free wide and McKernan adds to Down's wides up the other end. Coulter and Marty Clarke being kept very quite by the Dublin defence and that is probably the difference between the teams as Dublin hold onto their one point lead.
52 mins A host of substitutions here as McCartan looks to shake things up.
50 mins Down break forward with some nifty hand work. McCloskey hits a poor attempt on goal - more of an up and under to be fair - and Cluxton punches clear. Coulter looks to have been taken out of it there under the high ball but happened so fast that it was hard to see what happened.
48 mins McAuley now on for Dublin as well and getting plenty of possession in midfield. Dublin getting the upper hand here as Down are being hurried into playing quick ball. Mossy Quinn with a free from distance - wide.
47 mins McVeigh replaces by Alder in goal - the Down keeper got a bit of knee knock when he clashed with Cahill earlier on.
46 mins Update from Breffni Park - Cavan lead by four points and Louth are reduced to 14 men.
44 mins Bernard Brogan on and goes straight into the full forward position. Dublin attack and Mossy Quinn takes a good pass from Brogan and slots it over the bar.
41 mins Did I speak too soon as Barry Cahill waltzes through the Down defence with the ball at his feet but McVeigh is out quick and clears. Down go up the pitch and Hughes adds a point for Down. That was Cahill's last act as he is subbed - none of that soccer stuff here, son...you're off!!
39 mins Apparently the Dublin squad are just back from a training camp in Glasgow with Neil Lennon at Celtic. No evidence of silky soccer skills on show tonight. Meanwhile, Cullen adds another point to the Dublin tally.
38 mins Down pass their way into the Dublin square. The ball passed out to McCloskey who chooses to take a point when there was definitely a goalscoring opportunity there.
36 mins Second half up and running and the attendance has been confirmed as 35,264. Dublin open the scoring in the second half as Paul Flynn takes a good pass and scores from about 30 yards out.
HALF TIME Dublin 1-05 Down 0-08 - A decent first half but a lot of wayward shooting by Down and too many handling errors from both sides. Very little high fielding on show but with the greasy ball and pitch making things difficult, it's not been a bad opening 35.
35 mins Dublin finishing the half much stronger but cannot edge ahead as the clock ticks towards the interval. And Down break at pace and much more direct. Poland takes possession and smashes one just over the bar. Great score by Poland who may have had a pop at goal there. Yellow card for Brendan McArdle for persistent fouling. Chance for Dublin on the brink of half time to level the scores. Quinn makes no mistake and it's all square at half-time.
32 mins More Dublin pressure down the right. Flynn charges in on goal and smashes it off the post when he should really have tested the keeper.
30 mins Peter Fitzpatrick levels the game with another long-range effort for the Ulster boys. Dublin defence just not letting anything into the final quarter of the pitch so Down not resorting to long-range efforts. Marty Clarke is next to try from distance but shoots wide. Dublin up the pitch and Flynn hits a bad wide.
28 mins Great score from Connolly who had to drop deep to get a bit of possession. Quiet enough game for the big Dublin forward but a very classy point there to put Dublin a point clear.
26 mins Plenty of midfield play for Down but still struggling to break through the Dublin defence. A bit of niggle starting to creep into the game since Marty Clarke got a bit of off the ball attention a few minutes ago. Poland takes a yellow card for hitting Brogan after he played the ball.
24 mins Again Down struggle to break into the final quarter of the pitch. McKernan, once again, joins in the attack and shoot a fine point from the right wing. Much more clinical there by Down.
22 mins McArdle noted there by the ref giving Quinn a very scoreable opportunity. No problem from Quinn who curls it over with ease. Dublin very efficient in front of goal.
20 mins Once again, the Dublin defence stands firm as Down look to pass their way through. Steps leads to a free out. Dublin break clear at pace and the ball finds Bastick with Dublin two on two in attack. Bastick chooses to shoot but slips as he drops it onto his foot and the ball slides wide. Down go up the field and McMenamen hits another wide.
18 mins Down looking to break down the sturdy Dublin defence but no way through as Paul Brogan reads it well and charges clear with the ball. Great defence there from Dublin.
15 mins Great defence by McGinn who blocks a certain point from Brogan after a great ball into space by Quinn. Danny Hughes getting a bit of attention after taking a bit of a knock in midfield. Marty Clarke takes the free from about 45 and makes no mistake to level the game.
13 mins Down hit back with some good possession. Another wide fails to narrow the gap but A moment later, Coulter wins a short ball into space, turns and hits a lovely point in off the post.
11 mins GOAL PAUL FLYNN Brogan takes a short pass on the right wing, drifts one across the danger zone with the outside of the right boot. Flynn steams in and beats the keeper to the ball with a fine fist into the open net.
9 mins Brogan down the right, lets fly with the left foot, looks to be creeping inside the post but crashes off the post and Down clear. Dublin win possession back and the ball drops to Barry Cahill who intercepts. Alan Brogan does it all on his own and hits a belter of a point.
7 mins Good hand passing from Down on the right flank - McCloskey fists over for their second point of the game. Cluxton's short kick-out finds Down in possession again and Hughes makes it a two-point game.
5 mins Ah lads on the Hill, what did I tell you about that dark sky - raining again on the Hill. Doesn't appear to be raining anywhere else in Dublin except at Croker. Another wide for Down.
4 mins Plenty of space as Down knock it about at ease. McKernan hits first wide of the game - quickly matched by Kevin Nolan for Dublin who had plenty of space down the right flank.
3 mins Poland crashes one off the post from a free from about 40 yards on the left. Dublin play neat ball up the field and Barry Cahill smacks a very decent point from distance - great point there from Cahill
2 mins Down immediately on the attack with McCloskey showing well. High ball just drops wide. Out for a 45. Short one for Coulter who turns and points well. Great score from Down - straight off the training ground, that one.
1 min Game on at Croker between first and third in the Allianz League Division 1. Mossy Quinn captains the Dubs tonight. The rain has ceases and the crowd has definitely improved compared to the hurling encounted. Big mob on the Hill as well - did you not see that rain, lads. Dublin playing into the Canal end - both sides in their traditional colours...
1920 Jedward have rocked Croke Park once again. Now time for the main event as Dublin and Down get set to clash.
1855 See you in about 30 mins for Dublin v Down.
1853 I think Jedward are the entertainment in between the matches. Unfortunately I don't have time to comment on that.
1852 Ed Leahy will guide you through the next encounter at Croke Park.
By Rory Houston
1850 This result is a big boost for Galway ahead of their game tomorrow. There is plenty of work for Cody and Daly to do.
1848 Dublin and Kilkenny share the points in a game of poor finishing. The two teams still harbour hopes for a place in the final.
Full-time: Dublin 1-17 Kilkenny 3-11
70 + 4 min Fantastic. After all that wastage, Paul Ryan takes the most difficult chance is recent minutes and brings the Dubs level. Dublin 1-17 Kilkenny 3-11
70 + 3 min Possession is traded and there are only second left. O'Dwyer is the latest man to try for point. Again, it is off-target.
70 + 2 min Dublin have a sidelines cut from near the endline and it is flashed across goal. The Dublin players can't connect and eventually the ball is worked wide.
70 min Paul Ryan misses the opportunity to bring the teams level, shooting wide from play.
69 min There will be four minutes of added time. Dublin go in search of the levelling score and there is a strong Croker roar now.
67 min It's getting heated, it is getting excited and it is getting closer on the scoreboard. Cody and Daly debate the free awarded to the Dubs about 50 metres out. Ryan gets it over the bar and it is down to the minimum. Dublin 1-16 Kilkenny 3-11
65 min Croke Park is filling up nicely and this game should provide an exciting conclusion. Paul Ryan take over free-taking duty and cuts the gap to two points. Dublin 1-15 Kilkenny 3-11
62 min That was a fine piece of play. Eddie Brennan shows a great turn of pace and goes for a point from 45 but Maguire and the crossbar keep it out. It might have gone over and that could be one for Hawkeye.
61 min TJ Reid's sideline cut causes panic in the Dublin danger area but it is cleared. Brennan will continue.
60 min Eddie Brennan limps off the field and may be subbed. Brian Cody is an animated man on the sidelines.
58 min More predatory finishing from Ruth after Colin Fennelly's low shot is blocked by Maguire. He'll be thrilled with a 2-01 return. The two goals have been real forward's strikes. Dublin 1-14 Kilkenny 3-11
GOAL - KILKENNY - MATTHEW RUTH
56 min Mulhall takes Kilkenny's wide tally to 10 and they have not been innocent of error tonight either. This is a poor standard considering we are at an advanced stage of the league.
55 min Keaney sends the 65 wide. If Dublin don't win this game, it won't be hard to find the reason why.
54 min Fantastic chance for Dublin as the ball is driven forward and Dotsy looks to try and slot the ball into the net from the ground. He can't get a proper effort in on goal. The ball is eventually deflected out for a 65.
52 min With the teams level, Kilkenny bring in Mulhall for Aidan Fogarty.
49 min Plunkett looks a man keen to make up for earlier misses when he splits the posts with a driven shot from 25 metres. Dublin 1-14 Kilkenny 2-11
48 min That's a fine score by Matthew Ruth as he picks the ball up from Brennan and from a tight angle, puts it over. Dublin 1-13 Kilkenny 2-11
45 min The teams are level as Fennelly is the free man in midfield and he loops it over. Dublin 1-13 Kilkenny 2-10
44 min Corcoran infringes the effective Brennan. Hogan happily send it over for a point. Dublin 1-13 Kilkenny 2-09
43 min Lambert adds to Dublin's wide count. TJ Reid is brought into the game for Murphy.
41 min Dublin needed this score. It has taken six minutes as Rushe places the ball between the posts from 35 metres or so. Dublin 1-13 Kilkenny 2-08
40 min The wasteful Dubs miss another chance for their first score of the half. This time Plunkett is guilty of another bad miss.
39 min The rain is very heavy now and the game has gone sloppy as a result.
38 min Maybe Kilkenny are starting to find a bit of from. Richie Hogan shows a sharp turn of pace to find room to shoot over. Dublin 1-12 Kilkenny 2-08
36 min This is so similar to Brennan's first goal as once again the attacker wins the ball and turns his defender. However, the Dublin goalkeeper Maguire manages to get a block in. It goes out for a 65 and Hogan misses the target.
1752 Kilkenny will look to come out a lot sharper next half. Brian Cody will be very pleased to be within two points of the Dubs considering the performance.
35 + 2 min Eddie Brennan manages to get Kilkenny back to within two points as he outjumps a defender and wallops the ball into the corner of the net when close in on goal. How are Dublin only two points ahead? Dublin 1-12 Kilkenny 2-07
GOAL - KILKENNY - EDDIE BRENNAN
35 + 1 min Dotsy looks to turn Noel Hickey, with the defender taking down O'Callaghan. Keaney will not miss from a straight-forward free. Dublin 1-12 Kilkenny 1-07
35 min Ryan O'Dwyer puts an effort for a point wide when under pressure from Fogarty.
34 min John McCaffrey receives yellow card for a high tackle. From the resulting free, Michael Fennelly is the spare man and he adds another score for Kilkenny. The rain is very heavy so conditions are difficult now. Dublin 1-11 Kilkenny 1-07
33 min A fine goal by Paul Ryan. O'Dwyer and Plunkett exchanges lovely passes and Ryan shoots before the Kilkenny defence can get a block in. Herrity had no chance in the Cats goal. Dublin 1-11 Kilkenny 1-06
GOAL - DUBLIN - RYAN
32 min Eddie Brennan finds room to shoot as the rain pours down in Croker. Earlier in the move Oisin Gough goes down on his ankle. He should be able to continue. Dublin 0-11 Kilkenny 1-06
31 min Plunkett puts Dublin three points ahead once again as his effort sneaks just inside the post. Dublin 0-11 Kilkenny 1-05
30 min Great claim by Hogan after a high ball forward. Hogan secures his first score from play when turning. Dublin 0-10 Kilkenny 1-05
29 min Paul Ryan turns so sharply and, without even looking towards goal, manages to add another score. Dublin 0-10 Kilkenny 1-04
28 min That is the best score of the night from Dublin's Shane Durkin. Keaney's neat pass feeds Durkin and his shot has just enough power to see it over from 50 metres or so. Dublin 0-09 Kilkenny 1-04
26 min Keaney and Hogan exchanged scores from placed ball. The Dubs stay narrowly ahead.
25 min Aidan Fogarty gets all his frustration out by walloping the ball over the bar from about 15 metres out. Fogarty has seen little of the ball so far. Dublin 0-07 Kilkenny 1-03
24 min David Herrity makes heavy weather of controlling the ball. Dotsy takes advtanage and only has Hickey to beat when going for goal. Hickey manages to get the hurl onto the shot and hits it out for a 65. Keaney scores from the 65. Dublin 0-07 Kilkenny 1-02
22 min Kilkenny's Hogan sends another 65 to the right of the post. Anthony Daly is not a happy man. Dublin have wasted their early dominance.
20 min After all the play, Dublin somehow find themselves penned back by the Cats. Colin Fennelly goes on a brilliant run and offloads to Ruth. Maguire saves superbly from Ruth but the rebound is slotted into the net by the inexperienced Ruth. Dublin 0-05 Kilkenny 1-02
GOAL - KILKENNY - RUTH
18 min With Kilkenny yet to find any rhythm, it is amazing that the Dubs are only three points ahead. Dotsy misses another good chance for a point. Kilkenny look a jaded side.
17 min Michael Fennelly receives a yellow card for a high contact with the hurley.
16 min Wide number six for Dublin as Dotsy O'Callaghan's effort is dragged to the left and wide.
15 min Hogan has a free from near enough where he had the 65 a minute ago and again it is off-target.
14 min Hogan sends the 65 wide of the goal.
13 min Kelly looses his footing when under the pressure from Eddie Brennan and is forced to throw the ball behind for a 65.
11 min Liam Rushe is given plenty of time to lob the ball over the bar from the left of the field. Dublin 0-05 Kilkenny 0-02
10 min Eddie Brennan is tackled when just about to shoot for goal. From the loose ball, Brennan turns and shoots over. Dublin 0-04 Kilkenny 0-02
9 min Keaney's free extends the Dublin lead. A two-point advantage is disappointing considering they have had all of the ball in the first nine minutes. Dublin 0-03 Kilkenny 0-01
7 min Dublin are really on top with O'Dwyer shooting their third wide.
5 min Ryan and Keaney miss good goal chances with the latter sending a stinging effort off the post.
4 min Conal Keaney, playing on the wing today, puts Dublin back in front with a well-hit shot from the right. Dublin 0-02 Kilkenny 0-01
3 min Richie Hogan's free from 55 metres brings the Cats level. Dublin 0-01 Kilkenny 0-01
2 min Paul Ryan gets through on goal after a flick on by Dotsy O'Callaghan. Ryan can't control the ball and is driven wide, with the shot going to the left of the post. Great chance for the Dubs.
1 min Ryan O'Dwyer fine point from distance, shooting at Hill 16, is the first score of the day. Dublin 0-01 Kilkenny 0-00
1 min A very small crowd in Croke Park as the game gets underway.
1705 Ok, we're 10 minutes away from throw-in for the first game at Croke Park.
1615 Just less than an hour now until throw in as the Dubs and Kilkenny go head to head in the Allianz Hurling League. It's a cracking day in Dublin which could make for a big crowd at Croker.
And with both of the Dublin sides in contention for a place in the league final, the local support will be confident of a double dose of Dublin delights.
