Dublin manager Dessie Farrell praised his side's resolve as they booked their place in a Cadbury Under 21 Football Championship final against Roscommon, following a one-point win over Cavan in Portlaoise this evening.
Cavan held a four-point lead three minutes into the second half, following a brace of early scores, but Dublin dug deep.
"It was quite nerve-wracking alright," Farrell said.
"Being honest we knew that it was going to be that type of game and that scores would be difficult to come by, which they were and transpired to be the case.
"We are just thankful that we got out on the other end of it."
Farrell praised his side for not panicking, but said on the sideline it was a different story among the Dublin management.
"On the sideline it was like the duck paddling frantically underneath," he said.
"The players are a mature bunch and we had spoken about the need to be patient all week. We knew that it was going to be frustrating for the forwards in particular, as Cavan are very well organised with their defensive system.
"Playing on the inside line or anywhere in the forwards was going to be a difficult days work so we just encouraged them to be patience and not be frustrated and keep chipping away and we got there in the end."
Dublin's match-winning score came from a Cormac Costello free, but only after referee Derek O'Mahony had initially allowed advantage.
"The new rules are that the advantage is given and if it doesn't accrue the shot is pulled back and the free in awarded," Farrell said.
"I thought the referee done the right thing, but obviously some Cavan people disagreed with that, but that's the nature of it."