They lost centre back Ger Brennan to a straight red card midway through the first half, but a brilliant attacking display by Bernard Brogan pulled them through in a thriller in front of 74,573 enthralled spectators at Croke Park.

The sides were level four minutes from the end, but the inspirational Brogn led his side home with three late scores.

The Dubs were on fire in the opening three minutes, hitting 1-3. Wing back Barry Cahill sliced through the Kildare defence for a brilliant individual goal, and Kieran McGeeney’s men were six points down before they realised they had arrived in Croke Park.

However, the Kildare scores started to flow, and Ken Donnelly notched three points.

Alan Smith also banged over a couple with James Kavanagh and Padraig O’Neill raising white flags as well.

Dublin’s early dynamism had all but disappeared, and they suffered a blow in the 18th minute when centre back Ger Brennan received a straight red card following a clash with Donnelly.

Ronan Sweeney had just shot Kildare ahead for the first time when Dublin grabbed a second goal, Alan Brogan providing the perfect pass for Jason Sherlock to turn and shoot low to the net.

Kildare rallied again, however, and another volley of scores from John Doyle, Dermot Earley and Sweeney gave them a 0-12 to 2-5 interval lead, with all of the Lilywhite points coming from play.

Ciaran Whelan came off the bench to bring Dublin level, and the Brogan brothers shot classy points to open up a two-point lead.

Kildare struggled to utilise the extra space, and it was Pat Gilroy’s side which bossed the third quarter.

However, they missed a host of scoring chances, and with less than 10 minutes to play, Kildare drew level through substitute Robert Kelly.

As Kieran McGeeney’s men pressed forward, Paul Griffin and David Henry were rock solid at the back, and Cahill was always willing to press forward from defence, winning the free from which Bernard Brogan regained the lead for the Dubs.

It was a superlative effort from Dublin that restored his side’s two points advantage.

John Doyle, with an equally spectacular effort, and Mike Conway were on target to bring Kildare level, but Brogan’s three late scores sealed it for the defending champions.

Dublin: S Cluxton, D Henry, D Bastick, P Andrews, P Griffin, G Brennan, B Cahill (1-1), R McConnell, D Magee, P Flynn, A Brogan (0-2), D Connolly, C Keaney (0-3, 2f), B Brogan (0-7 (2f)), J Sherlock (1-1).

Subs: B Cullen for Connolly (24), C Whelan (0-1) for Magee (h-t), T Quinn for Sherlock (50), S Ryan for McConnell (55), P Burke for Flynn (64).

Kildare: T Corley, H McGrillen, M Foley, E Bolton, M O'Flaherty, B Flanagan, M Conway (0-2), D Flynn, D Earley (0-1), J Kavanagh (0-2), P O'Neill (0-2), R Sweeney (0-2), A Smith (0-2), K Donnelly (0-3), J Doyle (0-2).

Subs: A MacLochlainn for McGrillen (16), R Kelly (0-1) for Flynn (48), E Callaghan (0-1) for Doyle (blood 46-55), G white for O’Flaherty (55), K Ennis for Kavanagh (63).

Referee: P McEnaney (Monaghan).