Tipperary 2-17 Dublin 1-15
Lyndon Fairbrother added to his growing reputation as he hit seven points in Tippeary’s five-point win over Dublin at Croke Park to guide the Premier County into an All-Ireland minor final showdown with Galway.
Tipp came with a devastating final quarter rally and the JK Bracken’s clubman matched his Munster final haul.
In a repeat of the final from three years ago Liam Cahill’s men were too strong again and will now face the Tribesmen on 6 September.
It was 2-06 to 1-09 at half-time, with David Gleeson and Tommy Nolan getting the Tipperary goals.
Fergal Whitely bagged Dublin’s effort and they took the lead for the first time in the second-half.
But despite ten points from midfielder Matthew Oliver they were unable to gain revenge for their 2012 defeat.
Tipperary captain Darragh Peters won the toss and chose to play against the breeze in the first-half.
Even though they hadn’t play in five weeks the Munster champions were the better side in the opening-quarter and dangerman Fairbrother pointed two frees inside four minutes.
Oliver hit back for Dublin’s first which also came from the placed ball but Tipperary looked to have that killer instinct upfront.
They had a strong spine with centre-back Brian McGrath a towering presence and Roscrea rugby star Alan Tynan another target in the half-forward line.
Cian Darcy added a point before Gleeson struck their first goal in the ninth minute.
Nolan showed his huge work-rate as he somehow managed to keep the ball in play along the end-line and he spotted the Tipp full-forward who made no mistake.
It looked ominous for Dublin but their backs started to gain a foothold and they were helped out with some expert free-taking from sharpshooter-in-chief Oliver.
Ciaran Dowling sent over a rallying point and Oliver landed three-in-a-row as they trailed 1-03 to 0-05 after 15 minutes.
The imposing figures of Eoghan Conroy and Alex Considine began to make their presence felt but Darcy set up Nolan for a tonic goal against the run of play as Tipperary extended their lead to four.
It looked as though Tipperary would pull clear but it didn’t materialise and Dublin took the fight to them again.
The next score was a goal for the Dubs in the 22nd minute when Whitely profited from a fantastic catch and lay-off from Considine.
That brought it back to the minimum again – Darragh Carey and Oliver swapped scores.
Garry Ryan and Nolan again put Tipp three points up but Dublin finished out the half the stronger and points from Dowling and Oliver (two) meant the sides went in 2-06 to 1-09 at the break.
On the resumption Considine and Oliver gave Dublin the lead for the first time but Fairbrother and Nolan hit back.
The game looked destined for another extra-time climax as neither side could grab the initiative.
Two wonderful Dowling efforts from the right wing gave Dublin a 1-14 to 2-10 lead in the 47th minute but they only hit one more point from Oliver late on.
Just as they did in the Leinster final Dublin faded and substitute Shane Neville sealed Tipperary’s first final appearance since they won it in 2012.
Tipperary: P Hayes; E Heffernan, E Moloney, J Quigley; K Hassett, B McGrath, D Peters (capt); D Carey (0-01), L McCutcheon; C Darcy (0-01), G Ryan (0-01), A Tynan (0-01); T Nolan (1-03), D Gleeson (1-00), L Fairbrother (0-07, 0-04f, 0-01 ’65).
Subs: R Mulrooney (0-02) for McCutcheon (25), J Skehan for Darcy (47), M Connors for Gleeson (47), S Neville (0-01) for Ryan (61).
Dublin: E Skelly (capt); C Hendricken, D Butler, C Ryan; E Foley, P Smyth, D Gray; M Oliver (0-10, 0-07, 0-01 ’65), C Sammon; E Conroy, M Maguire, C Dowling (0-04); F Whitely (1-00), A Considine (0-01), E Dunne.
Subs: C O’Sullivan for Dunne (40), G King for Whitely (44), D Ryan for Gray (46), C Burke for O’Sullivan (61).
Referee: Paud O’Dwyer (Carlow).
