Kerry, though, restored parity on the cusp of half-time courtesy of a sweet Seán O’Shea effort. Delicately poised.

When the action recommenced Paddy Small, the inspirational Brian Howard, and Colm Basquel guided Dublin three in front. Kerry survived a subsequent scare when a Con O’Callaghan goal attempt was blocked.

Kerry were back on terms in the 43rd minute as O’Brien connected with a Dylan Geaney delivery to supply a critical goal.

Dublin went ahead, but Kerry, with Paudie Clifford hugely effective, accumulated a 2-15 to 0-16 lead when O’Shea thumped over a 52nd minute two pointer.

Ross McGarry was denied a goal by a Shane Murphy save on 57, but Dublin continued to persevere. Substitute Tomás Kennedy palmed over a point with three minutes left ensuring Kerry were 2-17 to 0-18 ahead.

Seán Bugler and Niall Scully pointed, trimming the deficit to three prior to David Clifford’s insurance score. Kerry did enough.

Scorers for Kerry: David Clifford 1-5 (1 2pt), Paudie Clifford 0-5 (1 2pt), Seán O’Shea 0-4 (1 2pt, 1m), Seán O’Brien 1-0, Graham O’Sullivan 0-2, Dylan Geaney and Tomás Kennedy 0-1 each.

Scorers for Dublin: Cormac Costello 0-7 (1 2ptf, 1 45), Colm Basquel 0-3, Paddy Small, Brian Howard, and Charlie McMorrow 0-2 each, Niall Scully and Seán Bugler 0-1 each.

Kerry: Shane Murphy; Paul Murphy, Jason Foley, Dylan Casey; Graham O’Sullivan, Mike Breen, Gavin White; Mark O’Shea, Seán O’Brien; Joe O’Connor, Paudie Clifford, Diarmuid O’Connor; David Clifford, Seán O’Shea, Dylan Geaney.

Subs: Brian Ó Beaglaíoch for O’Sullivan (43), Keith Evans for O’Brien (47), Evan Looney for Murphy (59), Armin Heinrich for White (59), Tomás Kennedy for Geaney (63).

Dublin: Evan Comerford; Lee Gannon, Theo Clancy, David Byrne; Eoin Kennedy, Alex Gavin, Charlie McMorrow; Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne, Brian Howard; Paddy Small, Ciarán Kilkenny, Niall Scully; Colm Basquel, Con O’Callaghan, Cormac Costello.

Subs: Cian Murphy for Gavin (51), Ross McGarry for Ó Cofaigh Byrne (55), Seán Bugler for Kennedy (58), Seán Guiden for Small (63).

Referee: Brendan Cawley (Kildare).