It's taken eight League and four Championship matches this season but Dublin's hurlers finally have a win to celebrate - tonight's surprising, yet well-merited 3-13 to 1-10 All-Ireland relegation semi-final defeat of Laois.
Fit-again captain David Curtin had a big hand in the result which sees the Dubs maintain their Liam McCarthy Cup status for next season, as he clipped over eight points and watched two of his frees turned into scrambled goals.
Tommy McNaughton's side looked well on their way to beating the midlanders at the third attempt this season, as they led 1-08 to 0-03 at the break at Dr Cullen Park. Against the breeze, Laois were completely off the boil and Philip Russell had hit their only point from play before James Young pointed twice from frees.
The Dubs crucially went 1-04 to 0-02 in front on 26 minutes when a Curtin free dropped short and recalled Laois goalkeeper Kevin Galvin fumbled the sliotar into his own net.
Laois, looking to avoid the impending relegation final against Antrim and a potential drop to next year's Christy Ring Cup, stepped up a gear on the restart.
An early goal from a first-time Tommy Fitzgerald pull showed their intent and three unanswered points midway through the second half from Young (0-02) and midfielder James Walsh had them back to within four points - 1-08 to 1-12 down.
Despite this, two Dublin goals in the final twelve minutes ensured the first win of McNaughton's short managerial reign.
On 58 minutes, Emmet Carroll worked a well-won ball in from the sideline and laid it on a plate for Kevin Flynn to rocket to the roof of Galvin's net.
Laois centre half-forward Young gallantly raced up his tally to 0-07 to put five points between the sides late on, but with Packie Cuddy fumbling the 68th-minute rebound of a lengthy Curtin free, Carroll pulled first time to goal and gleefully seal the issue.
