Dublin U21 3-10 Kildare U21 1-12
Senior duo Cormac Costello Costello and Conor McHugh weighed in with 2-07 between them as Dublin recorded beat Kildare at Páirc Tailteann to secure the Eirgrid Leinster Under-21 Football Championship.
Dessie Farrell's side had to draw on all their battling instincts to claim a 12th crown and ensure a successful defence of their title.
Kildare free-taker Neil Flynn gave an exhibition of kicking with 11 points in total, which put the Lilies two ahead with 15 minutes remaining.
But Costello's second goal in the 46th minute put Dublin into a winning position and they didn't relinquish it.
McHugh made certain of the win with three late points, including one from an injury-time penalty which he opted to chip over.
The result secures Dublin's All-Ireland semi-final spot with the Munster champions on 18 April.
It was a tight and tense opening with both sides struggling to adapt to the difficult conditions.
Rain swept across Páirc Tailteann throughout the opening half making it hugely difficult for players to keep their footing.
Niall Scully, to the fore in their semi-final win over Longford with three crucial late scores, surprisingly wasted an early free from 13 metres.
Costello took over the free-taking duties after that and his 18th minute kick from close range moved Dublin ahead for the first time, 0-03 to 0-02.
Back-to-back Neil Flynn points nudged Kildare ahead again before the game turned sharply in Dublin's favour.
In the space of just two minutes, they took full control of proceedings with goals from Colm Basquel and Costello.
Costello was the provider for the first after 22 minutes, though Basquel had plenty to do with a fine low finish to the bottom left corner.
A minute later, Costello netted himself when he palmed in from close range after a surging Conor McHugh run through the Kildare defence.
Suddenly, Dublin led by 2-03 to 0-04 and opened up with some fine point scoring before half-time.
McHugh hit the score of the half when he accepted an accurate long-range pass from Eric Lowndes, escaped his man and curled his shot over.
It put Dublin six clear points after 29 minutes and they should have enjoyed a comfortable half-time advantage but leaked 1-01 before the break.
Mark Sherry breathed life into Kildare with their goal from close range after good work by Paul Mescal. It was the sixth goal Dublin conceded in just three games.
It meant they led by just 2-05 to 1-06 at half-time and Kildare capitalised on their momentum to move two ahead after a strong third quarter. Flynn was their talisman with some great long range free-taking.
But just like their previous wins over Laois and Longford, Dublin came from behind when it counted most, with that Costello goal helping them across the winning line.
Dublin: L Molloy, D Byrne, E Murchan, E Mullan, E Lowndes (0-01), C Mullally, R McGowan, S Cunningham, S Carthy (0-01), G Burke, A Foley (0-01), N Scully, C Costello (2-02, 0-01f), C McHugh (0-05. 0-01 pen), C Basquel (1-00)
Subs: E Fletecher for Mullan, R Gaughan for Burke, A Byrne for Basquel, D O Cathmhaoil for Foley
Kildare: C Heeney, B Byrne, D Maguire, P Mescal, R Houlihan, D Hyland, D Duke, R Moore, P Connell, D Fitzpatrick, C Fenner, M Sherry (1-00), N Flynn (0-11, 0-06f, 0-02 45), N Kelly (0-01), C Healy
Subs: L Healy for Byrne, C McMonagle for Moore, D Flaherty for Healy, L Power for Connell, T Gibbons for Kelly, J Costello for Houlihan B/C)
Referee: N Ward (Westmeath)
