Derek Daly (right) is about to be challenged by Paul Close

Goals from Derek Daly and Leighton Glynn helped Wicklow lead 2-5 to 0-8 at half-time in normal time.

Wicklow led by five early in the second half but Conor McGourty's penalty helped bring the game to extra-time.

Antrim seemed set for victory in extra-time but in the final seconds, Gill struck the decisive goal.

Interview: Jody Gormely

Sean McGreevy's reaction after the final whistle as he sat in his goalmouth crying his eyes out spoke volumes about Antrim's devastation after this cruel defeat.

The Saffrons had looked the stronger outfit in extra-time and Michael Magill's towering point appeared set to be the winning score.

Ciaran Close and Conor McGourty points gave Antrim a two-point lead after 14 minutes but in truth the early stages of the game were uninspiring with both teams making numerous mistakes.

Wicklow finally lifted proceedings in the 15th minute when Derek Daly cut inside a slack Sean Kelly with ridiculous ease and fired the ball low past McGreevy.

Close soon levelled for the Saffrons but Wicklow then hit 1-2 without reply to take a grip on the contest.

I thought we had it Antrim boss Jody Gormley

The second goal came in the 22nd minute with Tony Hannon waltzing through the heart of the Antrim defence unopposed and delivering a pinpoint pass to Leighton Glynn who blasted to the net.

Antrim boss Jody Gormley reacted by making two changes with Michael Magill and Gavin Bell coming in for Darryl Martin and Sean Kelly but Wicklow continued to dominate.

The Saffrons' poor play was emphasised when John McGrath was given acres of space to loft over a point which extended Wicklow's lead to 2-4 to 0-4 after 28 minutes.

However, Antrim outscored Wicklow by four points to one in the closing minutes of the first half with Close bringing his tally up to five as the Garden County's lead was cut to 2-5 to 0-8.

Aodhan Gallagher hit the opening point of the second half for Antrim but Tommy Gill and Tony Hannon quickly replied to double Wicklow's lead.

The sides matched each other score for score for a 10-minute period which meant that Wicklow were still in control at 2-10 to 1-12 after 52 minutes.

Antrim badly needed a goal and substitute Magill almost delivered it in the 55th minute but his shot was brilliantly saved by Mervyn Travers.

However, the goal did come 2 minutes later when McGourty struck a penalty to the net after Kevin Brady had been fouled in the parallelogram.

Antrim were level seven minutes from the end of normal time when McGourty fired over a delightful point from a tight angle.

Kevin Niblock's jersey is pulled by Dara O'hAnnaidh

Wicklow went ahead on two further occasions but Antrim fought back with Michael McCann holding his nerve in injury-time from a 25-metre free to ensure extra-time.

With both sides tiring, the teams only produced three scores in the opening 20 minutes of extra-time.

Magill's towering point in the 83rd minute appeared set to be the decisive score with Antrim substitute James Loughrey also producing a sensational block to stop Derek Daly's pointblank goal attempt a minute from the end of extra-time.

However in the closing seconds, Wicklow worked the ball downfield and with Antrim goalkeeper Sean McGreevy left hopelessly exposed by his absent team-mates, the over-lapping Gill was able to hammer the ball into the empty net in a move which had appeared to take place in slow motion.

It was cruel on Jody Gormley and the devastated Antrim players as Mick O'Dwyer celebrated another memorable triumph at Croke Park.

Gormley acknowledged that the defeat was "gutting".

"I thought we had it. The problem was that although we dominated possession in the second period of extra-time, we didn't put it on the scoreboard," said Gormley.

"Maybe we were a bit naive. A more cynical or travelled team would have hauled down the man for their goal but that's football. I'm proud of how hard they battled."

Wicklow: Mervyn Travers, Brendan O'hAinnaidh, Damien Power, Alan Byrne, Paddy Dalton (0-1), Dara O'hAnnaidh, Leighton Glynn (1-4), James Stafford, Thomas Walsh (0-1), John McGrath (0-2), Don Jackman, Ciaran Hyland, Tommy Gill (1-1), Tony Hannon (0-4), Derek Daly (1-0). Subs: John Slattery for Glynn (61 blood), E Rossiter for Hyland 70.

Referee: Pat McGovern (Galway).