Cork misread the semi-final, assuming that Dublin's first win in Leinster since 1965 was down to a drop in standards in the province, rather than a marked improvement by Kevin Heffernan's newly charged outfit.
Barely a minute had elapsed when Niall Corkery’s searching delivery found Bernard Brogan lurking behind Ray Carey, and he beat Alan Quirke with a low shot, planted in the corner of the net.
Dublin led by 1-8 to 0-7 at the break, and Cork’s difficulties intensified when injured captain Graham Canty was unable to return for the second half.
Bernard Brogan stretched Dublin's advantage to five, but the lead was cut back to a point in the 54th minute when Donncha O'Connor slotted a penalty in off the post.
Cork pushed ahead once again, however, Dublin finished the half strongly, outscoring the Rebels by three points to one before the interval, with Flynn, Ciarán Kilkenny and Bernard Brogan on target as they claimed a 0-9 to 0-7 half-time lead.
But the Leesiders couldn't get any closer despite their efforts in the final quarter, with Dean Rock, Kevin McManamon, Kilkenny, Cluxton and Denis Bastick on target.