Dublin bridged a gap of three years to reclaim the Leinster title and in doing so dashed the hopes of Kildare, who had been hoping for their first provincial title since 1956. Tom Carr, the current Dublin manager, captained the team that day from corner back.

A Dublin victory was assured by the interval as they led by nine points, 1-10 to 0-4, having been backed by a strong wind. The match was pockmarked by heavy challenges and niggling fouls and rows broke out in both halves, with referee Brian White having to calm things down after a serious fracas in the first period.

Dublin's Paul Clarke and Dave Foran dominated midfield and the half-back line of Eamonn Heery, Keith Barr and Paul Curran were the outstanding unit in a fine team performance.

Vinnie Murphy grabbed three points from play, while Charlie Redmond kicked five with the placed ball. One highlight for Hill 16 was Barr's goal from a wonderfully-struck 20-yard shot after a long solo. The Kildare forwards never really got a grip on proceedings, and despite the valiance of defenders Glen Ryan, Sos Dowling and Anthony Rainbow could not stem the blue tide.

They did reduce the deficit to four points by the 56th minute but Dublin raised the tempo and eased to a six-point victory.

Dublin: J O'Leary; M Deegan, G Hargan, T Carr (capt); P Curran (0-1), K Barr (1-0), E Heery (0-1); P Clarke (0-1), D Foran; C Redmond (0-5, four frees, one 50), J Sheedy, N Guiden; D Farrell (0-1), V Murphy (0- 3), M Galvin (0-1). Subs: P Gilroy for Sheedy (50 mins); P Bealin for Foran (57 mins).

Kildare: G Gannon; D Dalton, J Crofton, S Dowling; P McConnon, G Ryan, A Rainbow; S McGovern, N Buckley (0-4, three frees); D Kerrigan, T Harris, B Fahy (0-1); M Lynch capt (0-2), J Gilroy, J McDonald (0-2). Subs: P McLoughlin (0-2) for Fahy 44 mins; N Donlon for Gilroy 59 mins; B Nolan for Dowling 71 mins.

Referee: B White (Wexford).