Dublin's hurlers lost their NHL Division One status this afternoon despite a strong second half display from Humphrey Kelleher's side in a 3-09 to 1-11 defeat to Antrim at Casement Park.
The Dubs were made to pay dearly for a lacklustre opening in Belfast as they conceded three goals inside the first 14 minutes.
Antrim's Colm McGuckian bagged two goals, with his second on 13 minutes being followed seconds later by a Karl Stewart shot past the dive of Dublin goalkeeper Gary Maguire.
That gave the home side a 3-02 to 0-01 and the Saffrons were 3-05 to 0-03 in front at the break. Dublin's points came from two David Curtin frees and a 30-yard Emmet Carroll score from play.
Carroll, who was twice denied a goal in the first half, finally beat Antrim stopper Gareth Magee early in the second half, but it was Cahill's men who retained their top flight ranking.
Two points each from Johnny McIntosh and Stewart saw Dublin downed.
Two of the Metropolitans players Ronan Fallon and Ger O'Meara will have to rally themselves quickly as they take part in tomorrow's Leinster Under-21 football final replay against Kildare at Croke Park.
