Good afternoon and welcome to The42‘s live minute-by-minute coverage of this afternoon’s All-Ireland U21 Football semi-finals.

We’ve got a cracking double-header to look forward to, starting with the holders Dublin against the newly-crowned Munster champions Tipperary.

Throw-in at O’Connor Park, Tullamore is at 4pm.

TEAM NEWS: Here’s the Dublin side as named earlier this week — eight of these players were on the Dubs’ winning side in 2014.

1. Lorcan Molloy (St Annes)

2. Emile Mullan (Na Fianna)
3. David Byrne (Naomh Olaf)
4. Eoin Murchan (Na Fianna)

5. Eric Lowndes (St Peregrine’s)
6. Conor Mulally (Cuala)
7. Ross McGowan (Kilmacud Crokes)

8. Stephen Cunningham (St Sylvester’s)
9. Shane Carthy (Naomh Mearnóg)

10. Gavin Burke (St Vincent’s)
11. Andrew Foley (Clontarf)
12. Niall Scully (Templeogue Synge-Street)

13. Cormac Costello (Whitehall Colmcille)
14. Conor McHugh (Na Fianna)
15. Colm Basquel (Ballyboden St-Enda’s)

TEAM NEWS: Here’s the Tipp side. If you’re not familiar with the young Premier men, keep an eye on midfield duo Steven O’Brien and Colin O’Riordan.

1. Evan Comerford (Kilsheelan Kilcash)

2. Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials)
3. Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule)
4. Colm O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan)

5. Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers)
6. Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers)
7. Bill Maher (Kilsheelan Kilcash)

8. Steven O’Brien (Ballina)
9. Colin O’Riordan (JK Brackens)

10. Jason Lonergan (Clonmel Commercials)
11. Ian Fahey (Clonmel Commercials)
12. Liam Casey (Cahir)

13. Kevin O’Halloran (Portroe)
14. Josh Keane (Golden Kilfeacle)
15. Paul Maher (Kilsheelan Kilcash)

Nice bit of support from one of Tipp’s senior hurling stars, John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dywer:

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The bookies make Dublin three-point favourites here as they bid to win a third U21 crown in four seasons.

Tipp, on the other hand, have never made it to the All-Ireland final since this competition started more than 50 years ago. Will today be a historic day?

Late change on the Dublin team: Aonghus Farrell is in for Gavin Burke at wing-forward.

We’ll keep you updated any other changes.

There has been a minute’s silence for the late Dave Billings before throw-in.

Another change for the Dubs: Martin Cahalane starts in place of Emile Mullan at corner-back.

We’re up and running in Tullamore

Nice moment from both sides before throw-in

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Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Dublin 0-1 Tipperary 0-0: Conor McHugh kicks the opening point for the Dubs.

Great run by Steven O’Brien from midfield. He pops it off to Liam Casey but his shot drops short into Lorcan Molloy’s arms.

Tipperary are doing well to make inroads into Dublin territory early on, this time through Ian Fahey, but the attack breaks down as the Dubs’ defenders crowd them out.

Bill Maher drives forward from the half-back line for Tipp and Niall Scully gives away a pretty needless free for pulling him back on the 45m line.

Fortunately for the Dubs, Kevin O’Halloran drags the free right and wide.

There’s a strong breeze blowing in Tullamore as Cormac Costello tries to point on the spin but kicks a wide.

Good, patient build-up by Tipp but again it comes to nothing. Steven O’Brien and Colin O’Riordan do well to retain possession and the latter finds Ross Mulcahy in space out on the right. His shot drops short as well though and it’s comfortable for Molloy in the Dublin goal.

Tipp have another free in a very scoreable position but this time Josh Keane misses to the left. The Premier should really have their noses in front after these early exchanges.

Ten minutes in and just one score to show so far. This will get better, right?

Eric Lowndes tries his luck from distance for the Dubs but again, it’s wide. Cormac Costello was in space looking for the ball there and might have been a better option.

Fine battling by Colin O’Riordan to protect the ball without overcarrying despite the attentions of three Dublin defenders. Tipp really need this free from O’Halloran but he scuffs it badly and Dublin clear.

Dublin 0-1 Tipperary 0-1: Finally, Tipp are up and running and it’s Colin O’Riordan who kicks the point.

Dublin 0-2 Tipperary 0-1: That didn’t last long. Great work by Colm Basquel and Conor McHugh points beautifully off his left from all of 40 metres out. Lovely score.

Kevin O’Halloran has a third free but misses again. That was the hardest of the three so far, in his defence.

Dublin 0-3 Tipperary 0-1: Colm Basquel goes one way and then the other to shake off his man, and then points.

It’s not just Tipp who are struggling with free-taking. Shane Carthy steps up to strike one for the Dubs with his left and, as with the others, it’s waved wide.

Dublin 0-3 Tipperary 0-2: Kevin O’Halloran kicks his first free of the day and Tipp are back to within a point.

Dublin 0-4 Tipperary 0-2: Magnificent point from Cormac Costello who kicks a free from more than 50 metres at a very tight angle.

Two Dublin subs: Shane Cunningham and Robbie Gaughan are on in place of Stephen Cunningham and Niall Scully.

Dublin 0-5 Tipperary 0-2: Dublin move the ball nicely around the half-forward line before Carthy points.

My apologies, that Gaughan for Scully change was a blood sub — Scully is back on.

Dublin 0-5 Tipperary 0-3: Cuala’s Conor Mulally collects the first yellow card of the game. Josh Keane points a simple free from in front of the Dublin posts.

Dublin 0-6 Tipperary 0-3: Conor McHugh’s point-taking has been excellent for the most part. Tipp give him far too much space and he knocks over his third, Dublin’s sixth.

We’ll have one additional minute at the end of this half.

Dublin 0-7 Tipperary 0-3: McHugh points a free and that should be enough to send the Dubs in four points to the good.

Dublin 0-7 Tipperary 0-3

Back in five.

We’re underway for the second half in Tullamore.

Dublin 0-8 Tipperary 0-3: Good running by Ross McGowan to set up Shane Carthy who points. Could he have gone for goal though?

Dublin 0-8 Tipperary 0-4: Josh Keane points a free to keep Tipp within touching distance.

Dublin 0-8 Tipperary 0-5: ANOTHER FOR TIPP! Colin O’Riordan slices through the middle and points. Dublin’s lead is cut to three.

McHugh kicks a free wide. A collector’s item.

Cormac Costello tries to battle his way towards goal but goes to ground. It’s a free-out for overcarrying rather than the free-in he might have hoped for.

Ten played in this second half.

Dublin 0-8 Tipperary 0-6: Now we’ve got ourselves a game. Steven O’Brien points to cut the gap to two — that’s three on the spin now for Tipp.

Dublin 0-8 Tipperary 0-7: Brilliant defending by, I think, Davy Byrne who tips Liam Casey’s shot over the bar with Molloy beaten.

Tipp are on a roll here.

Dublin 0-9 Tipperary 0-7: Costello points to steady the ship for the Dubs. We’re set up for a cracking finish in Tullamore nonetheless.

Dublin sub: Shane Clayton on for Andrew Foley.

Dublin 0-9 Tipperary 0-8: Tipp haven’t gone away you know and Jason Lonergan kicks a point to bring them back to within the minimum.

BLACK CARD: Cahalane is shown a black card. Fletcher on to replace him.

Dublin 0-9 Tipperary 0-9: Josh Keane kicks the free and Tipp are level!

Tipperary 0-10 Dublin 0-9: Another O’Halloran free and he makes no mistake. Tipp lead! My word.

Tipperary 0-11 Dublin 0-9: Unbelievable comeback from Tipp here and O’Halloran kicks them into a two-point lead.

Seven minutes to play. Tipp have outscored Dublin by eight points to two so far in this second half. Are the champions about to be dethroned? Are the Premier men about to make history?

SAVE BY LORCAN MOLLOY! That could have been the game there as O’Halloran’s long free dropped in front of the Dublin goal. Ian Fahey reacted quickest but the Dublin keeper did brilliantly to save with his legs.

Tipperary 0-11 Dublin 0-10: Big, BIG score for Dublin as Costello kicks a free. One-point game, three minutes left.

Dublin free in…

Dublin 0-11 Tipperary 0-11: Costello levels it. Two minutes on the clock.

Tipperary 0-12 Dublin 0-11: MAGNIFICENT SCORE BY ROSS MULCAHY. Tipp edge back in front and there’s not much time left for Dublin

Two additional minutes

Dublin 0-12 Tipperary 0-12: All square again! Campbell levels it for the Dubs in stoppage time!

Tipperary 0-13 Dublin 0-12: Steven O’Brien storms free up the middle and points. Has he just won it for Tipp?

He’s named Man of the Match regardless. Tipp on the brink of history…

Tipperary 0-14 Dublin 0-12: FREE IN FOR TIPP! Surely that’s it? We’ve almost played the two additional minutes… and O’Halloran points!

Tipperary 0-14 Dublin 0-12

THAT’S IT! Tipp are through to the All-Ireland U21 football final for the first time! They outscored the Dubs by 0-11 to 0-5 in that second half and it’s enough to dethrone the champions.

They will face either Roscommon or Tyrone in the final. That second semi throws in at 6pm so don’t go anywhere!

Here’s some of the reaction to that historic win for Tipp:

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We’re going to take a very short breather before Roscommon v Tyrone throws in. You can’t blame us after that, can you?

We’re just about ready to go in Markievicz Park, Sligo. Will it be Roscommon or Tyrone who face Tipp in this year’s final?

Here’s the Roscommon team:

1. Shane Mannion (St Brigid’s)

2. Niall McInerney (St Brigid’s)
3. Sean Mullooly (Strokestown)
4. Denis Barron (Eire Óg)

19. Evan McGrath (Boyle)
6. Cathal Kenny (Oran)
7. Ronan Daly (Pádraig Pearses)

8. Cathal Compton (Strokestown)
9. Tadhg O’Rourke (Tulsk Lord Edwards)

10. Shane Killoran (Elphin)
11. Ultan Harney (Clann na nGael)
22. Kieran Kilcline (Roscommon Gaels)

13. Diarmuid Murtagh (St Faithleach’s)
14. Enda Smith (Boyle)
15. Paul Kenny (Oran)

And here’s how Tyrone will line out:

1. Sean Fox (Killyclogher)

2. Ruairi Mullan (Cookstown)
3. Padraig Hampsey (Coalisland)
4. Michael Cassidy (Ardboe)

5. Ciaran McLaughlin (Omagh)
6. Rory Brennan (Trillick)
7. Kieran McGeary (Pomeroy)

8. Francis Burns (Pomeroy)
9. Cathal McShane (Owen Roe)

10. Conor Meyler (Omagh)
11. Mark Kavanagh (Errigal Ciaran)
12. Matthew Walsh (Dungannon)

13. Lee Brennan (Trillick)
14. Daniel McNulty (Clonoe)
15. Ruairi McGlone (Aghaloo)

We’re up and running in Sligo

Tyrone 0-1 Roscommon 0-0: That didn’t take long. Around 25 minutes on the clock and Lee Brennan kicks the opening score for Tyrone.

Tyrone 0-2 Roscommon 0-0: Cathal McShane doubles Tyrone’s advantage.

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Tyrone 0-3 Roscommon 0-0: Kavanagh does brilliantly to square the ball across the face of the Roscommon goal and Brennan chips it up over the bar.

Tyrone 0-4 Roscommon 0-0: Phenomenal start by Tyrone while Roscommon simply haven’t got out of the traps yet. Cassidy storms forward from the back and points.

Tyrone 0-4 Roscommon 0-1: Finally the Rossies are up and running. Diarmuid Murtagh kicks a free.

Tyrone 0-5 Roscommon 0-1: Another fine point by Mark Kavanagh from out on the left. Roscommon simply haven’t got to grips with the Tyrone forwards yet.

Tyrone 0-5 Roscommon 0-2: Beautiful point by Cathal Crompton who spins one over the bar off the outside of his right boot.

Tyrone 0-5 Roscommon 0-3: Another for Compton as a Tyrone kick-out goes astray. Roscommon back within two.

Tyrone 0-6 Roscommon 0-3: Cathal McShane shrugs off the tackle and points his second of the evening.

Tyrone 0-6 Roscommon 0-4: Another Murtagh free for Roscommon. They’re back to within two again.

Tyrone 0-7 Roscommon 0-4: Kavanagh is really proving to be a menace to the Roscommon defence. He’s set up one score and now scored two in these first 20 minutes.

Tyrone 0-7 Roscommon 0-5: Brilliant free by Ronan Daly from way out on the left touchline. Swung it over with precision.

Tyrone 0-7 Roscommon 0-6: Compton again for the Rossies! They’ve really come alive and this has turned into a cracking contest.

Tyrone 0-8 Roscommon 0-6: Cathal McShane is picking off points at ease at the moment. He’s just scored his third of the evening from waaaay out.

Tyrone 0-8 Roscommon 0-7: End-to-end stuff here as Murtagh points again to cut the gap to the minimum.

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Tyrone 0-9 Roscommon 0-7: Lee Brennan points again to restore Tyrone’s two-point cushion as we reach the break.

Roscommon sub: That’s a blow for the Rossies as goalkeeper Shane Mannion goes off to be replaced by Nigel Kelly.

Tyrone 0-10 Roscommon 0-7: McNulty puts his foot through a free and it looks like Tyrone will take a three-points lead into the break.

Roscommon midfielder Tadhg O’Rourke goes down with blood streaming from his nose. He was caught by the stray elbow of McShane. The Tyrone man escapes with a yellow card.

Tyrone 0-10 Roscommon 0-7

We’re back underway in Sligo.

Tyrone 0-11 Roscommon 0-7: Twelve seconds into the second half and Lee Brennan already has the first point.

Tyrone 0-11 Roscommon 0-8: Murtagh brings Roscommon back within three with a simple free.

Tyrone 0-11 Roscommon 0-9: Roscommon sub Thomas Corcoran kicks a 45. Very little to choose between these sides still.

Tyrone 0-12 Roscommon 0-9: Lee Brennan must have some sort of radar attached to his boot. He’s pinged over another fine score, his fifth of the evening by my count.

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Marvellous diving block by Jack Earley in defence to deny Tyrone a great goal opportunity.

Tyrone 0-13 Roscommon 0-9: Daniel McNulty shows his strength to hold off his man before pointing. Very hard to defend against that.

Tyrone 0-13 Roscommon 0-10: Murtagh slots an easy free. Tyrone in the driving seat but you wouldn’t dare call this one as we head into the final quarter.

It’s all gone a little bit scrappy but Tyrone won’t mind as the clock keeps ticking towards 60. They’ve a free as Ronan Daly brings down captain Kieran McGeary.

Tyrone 0-14 Roscommon 0-10: Daniel McNulty kicks it! Four between them with 10 minutes to play.

Tyrone 0-14 Roscommon 0-11: The Rossies aren’t giving up without a fight. Jack Earley points… and they’ve won the Tyrone kick-out.

It comes to nothing on this occasion.

Tyrone 0-14 Roscommon 0-12: Earley and Smith work the ball into a more central position and Murtagh points. Two in it.

Daniel McNulty and Ronan Daly both shown yellow cards. We’ll restart with a throw ball. Just over three to play.

Shane Killoran’s pass looks to be straight into Cathal Kenny’s hands but he takes his eye off. Bad turnover at this point in the game.

Tyrone 0-15 Roscommon 0-12: That could be the winning of it. Tyrone midfielder Francis Burns storms forward and kicks a point. We’re into the last minute of the 60…

Free in to Tyrone!

Tyrone 0-16 Roscommon 0-12: Brennan slots the free and Tyrone will face Tipperary in this year’s U21 decider.

Hmmmm, hang on. Three additional minutes have just been announced — and we still have two of those to play.

Roscommon wide.

Tyrone full-back Padraig Hampsey is named Man of the Match.

Tyrone 0-17 Roscommon 0-12: McNulty fires over one last free… AND THAT’S IT!

Tyrone 0-17 Roscommon 0-12

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

So that’s it on a massively entertaining afternoon of U21 football.

You would have got short odds on a Dublin-Roscommon repeat at the start of the day but sport doesn’t always pan out the way you expect.

Instead it will be Tipperary and Tyrone who meet in the decider in a fortnight’s time.

Thanks for reading.