Relegation Play-off: Dublin 3-13, Laois 1-10 Dublin hurlers broke a long losing sequence with a crucial nine-point win over Laois in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship relegation section semi-final tie at Dr Cullen Park, Carlow on Saturday.
This emphatic victory for Tommy Naughton's side means Dublin will now participate in the 2006 chase for the Liam McCarthy Cup. It was a result which also reversed the outcome when these sides met in May in the Leinster Championship when Laois prevailed by 4-14 to 0-14.
Laois now face Antrim in a game to decide which team drops through the relegation trap-door and into next year's Christy Ring Cup Championship.
"A good-ish year is going to be ruined if we don't beat Antrim," said disappointed Laois manager Paudie Butler afterwards.
Dublin had sealed the leaks that were apparent in their last meeting with Laois. Their defence was very tight, with full back Stephen Hiney, centre back Ronan Fallon and corner back Ger O'Meara in outstanding form.
But Dublin's most prominent player was David Curtin at centre forward. Although named as last substitute and wearing number 30, the Ballyboden St Enda's club man started the game and scored 1-8 of his side's total.
Curtin's goal on 23 minutes, when the ball slipped over the Laois goal-line from a 40-metre free, put Dublin in charge and they led 1-8 to 0-3 at the interval.
A well struck goal three minutes after the interval by Laois half forward Philip Russell left six points between the sides (1-9 to 1-3). Laois, who had been strangely lethargic in the first half, continued to improve and cut the arrears to four points.
But 22 minutes into the second half a fine Dublin movement involving Derek O'Reilly, Emmet Carroll and Kevin Flynn saw Flynn flash home a close-range goal to put Dublin 2-12 to 1-8 in front.
Flynn's 68th-minute goal was the icing on the cake for Dublin, but the best scores of the game came from Laois centre forward James Young, who split the Dublin posts with two superb sideline cuts from almost the same position in the second half.
Naughton was well pleased with Dublin's win and said afterwards he felt there was the potential to build a good team. He was happy that his side were now free of the threat of relegation and could focus on premier championship hurling next year.
Butler bemoaned the fact that he was short six of his key players through injury but paid tribute to the winners, a "big, strong Dublin team who are gaining in confidence".
DUBLIN: G Maguire; G O'Meara, S Hiney, J Cullen; D O'Reilly, R Fallon, G Bennett; D Sweeney (0-2), D Russell (0-1); E Moran, D Curtin (1-8, 1-5 frees, 0-2 65s), T Moore; E Carroll, M Carton, K Flynn (2-0). Subs: C Meehan (0-1) for Carton; L Ryan (0-1) for Moran.
LAOIS: K Galvin; B Campion, P Cuddy, C Healy; M McEvoy (0-1), John Walsh, S Dwyer (0-1); James Walsh, E Meagher; J Rowney, J Young (0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-2 sideline cuts), P Russell (1-0); T Fitzgerald (0-1), M Rooney, D Culleton. Subs: C Brophy for Rooney; P Mahon for Meagher; A Delaney for James Walsh; D Walsh for Campion; C Clear for Russell.
Referee: B White (Tipperary).
