Dublin storm to under-21 football title victory over Roscommon

Dublin 1-21 Roscommon 3-6: There is simply no stopping Dublin football these days, their latest prize being a third All-Ireland under-21 title in five years after a truly crushing display against Roscommon in Tullamore on Saturday afternoon.

Indeed this was more exhibition than contest, any hope that Roscommon might make amends for their final defeat to Dublin two years ago disappearing not long after the start. Indeed, it seemed all over by half-time, including the shouting, as Dublin raced into an 13-point advantage, 0-14 to 0-1.

Roscommon did raise some cheer for the bumper crowd with three goals in the first 12 minutes of the second half, but by then Dublin were out of sight – their full forward combination of Conor McHugh and Dublin seniors Cormac Costello and Paul Mannion scoring a stunning 1-18 between them.

Roscommon's confidence also took a knock early on when Donie Smith's penalty was saved by Dublin goalkeeper Lorcan Molloy, and Dublin quickly tagged on a succession of points with a lethal combination of pace and precision. Roscommon didn't score again in the first half beyond Ultan Harney's opening point in the second minute.

Even if the second half was a little more balanced in the scoring stakes, Diarmuid Murtagh claiming two goals and Ciaran Kilcline another – all coming inside a five-minute spell – it was all too late to save Roscommon.

Dublin captain Jack McCaffrey added his name to the list of Dublin scorers, but even as they eased off, Dessie Farrell's team still had the edge on Roscommon, who like every other team in the country right now, are left wondering what it must take to beat Dublin.