Dublin 3-14 Laois 1-14: Dublin simply overpowered Laois to claim their third successive SFC Leinster title in front of the 82,000 capacity crowd at Croke Park this afternoon.
Paul Caffrey's men were physically more powerful and technically more astute which allowed them to play the ball around the park with greater ease than their opponents. That plus the fact their sense of timing was immaculate in terms of scoring.
Mark Vaughan was once again at his imperious best and found the net before Bernard Brogan slotted a second goal expertly past Fergal Byron for a tremendous score, all in the space of 60 seconds on the half hour mark. Laois had already also scored the opening goal of the match through Ross Munnelly.
The opening stages of this final hadn't gone Dublin's way at all for Laois had opened a four-point lead at one stage. However, when the question was asked Caffrey's charges simply upped the pace of their play to expose their opponents defence all too easily. Dublin eventually went into the break with a 2-7 to 1-7 advantage.
In the second period Caffrey's men were never really threatened and were able to close the game out with relative ease to secure their 47th provincial titles.
Earlier in the day Tyrone were crowned Ulster champions (1-15 to 1-13) after a nail-biting final against a Monaghan side who refused to play the underdog role at a sun-drenched Clones.
In the early stages Tyrone looked to have the measure of their opponents especially after Philip Jordan scored to give Mickey Harte's men a 1-5 to 0-1 lead. That said, Monaghan rallied to go into the break 1-8 to 0-7 down.
Whatever Harte said at halftime it obviously worked for the 2003 and 2005 All-Ireland champions quickly extended their lead to 1-13 to 0-8. Shortly after though Thomas Freeman's goal gave Monaghan renewed confidence.
Towards the end it was a tense battle as only two points separated the sides but Tyrone held on to secure their 11th Ulster title.