GAA: Dublin win seventh Leinster title in-a-row with 2-23 to 1-17 win over Kildare

Con O'Callaghan scored 12 points as reigning All-Ireland champions Dublin created history to make it seven Leinster titles in a row with a 2-23 to 1-17 victory over Kildare at Croke Park.

The last team to beat Dublin in the province was Meath way back in 2010 and although Kildare had them rattled on occasions in this decider, they never looked like losing their remarkable record.

Kildare have still not won a championship match against Dublin since 2000 and Paddy Brophy's last ditch goal was their only reward.

Dean Rock and James McCarthy scored the two goals for Dublin in the first-half and that made the difference as they led by 2-8 to 0-10 at half-time before sealing another impressive win.

Kildare brought a massive intensity into the game and Daniel Flynn popped over their first point off his right after just 24 seconds. But they were made to wait 20 minutes for their next point while Dublin cut loose and notched 2-4.

Paul Mannion opened the scoring in the third minute and Ciaran Kilkenny doubled their tally four minutes later. But the goals were two killer blows in the tenth and 11th minutes.

Kilkenny's vision led to the first goal, he spotted Rock in acres of space behind the Kildare cover he finished low past Mark Donnellan and into the Kildare net.

The Kildare defence made the same mistakes moments later when McCarthy played a one-two with O'Callaghan before scoring a second goal.

That gave Dublin a 2-3 to 0-1 lead and O'Callaghan slotted a second point before Cathal McNally finally got Kildare back on the scoreboard.

Keith Cribbin quickly added another and two more points from Kevin Feely and McNally brought Kildare to within five points of Dublin.

Rock was black carded when he fouled Mick O'Grady in the 24th minute and after O'Callaghan and Johnny Byrne traded points, Dublin substitute Bernard Brogan scored his first.

But Kildare had their confidence back at this stage and Flynn scored one of the points of the championship from the right side-line off the outside of his right boot.

That brought Kildare back to 2-7 to 0-8 in arrears and they scored three of the last four points in the first-half to trail by four at the interval.

But when Brogan scored his third point in the 40th minute Dublin were back 2-11 to 0-11 in front and then Stephen Cluxton made a stunning save to keep Kildare out.

Flynn was straight on the Dublin goal and one-on-one with Cluxton, but his shot was saved and the Kildare heads dropped.

It was a huge turning point because O'Callaghan pointed his fourth free after that and Dublin pulled clear.

Brogan and O'Callaghan tagged on further scores and although Feely tried in vain, Dublin kept up the pressure.

Dublin unloaded their bench with Shane Carthy both finding the range after Feely got a late black card for Kildare. The losers fought valiantly but Brophy's 74th minute goal was little reward.

Dublin: S Cluxton; P McMahon, M Fitzsimons, E Lowndes; J McCarthy (1-0), C O'Sullivan, J McCaffrey; B Fenton, C Kilkenny (0-2); N Scully, P Mannion (0-1), C O'Callaghan (0-12, 0-6f); P Andrews (0-1), J Small, D Rock (1-0).

Subs: B Brogan (0-5) for D Rock (25, black card), S Carthy (0-1) for Scully (48), D Daly for McMahon (49), K McManamon for Andrews (52), D Byrne for O'Sullivan (59), B Howard (0-1) for Fenton (67).

Kildare: M Donnellan; M O'Grady, D Hyland, O Lyons; J Byrne (0-1), E Doyle, K Cribbin (0-1); K Feely (0-5, 0-4f), T Moolick; F Conway, N Kelly (0-1), D Slattery (0-1); P Brophy (1-3), D Flynn (0-2), C McNally (0-2).

Subs: P Cribbin for Conway (45), F Dowling (0-1) for Moolick (49), P Kelly for Doyle (52), B McCormack for McNally (57), E Bolton for J Byrne (64), E Callaghan for Feely (65, black card)

Referee: Anthony Nolan (Wicklow).