Dublin edged out Meath 4-10 to 2-10 in an exciting opener to their Leinster MFC campaign in Parnell Park.
Second-half strikes from Ryan O'Dwyer and substitute Luke Swan proved crucial as the two sides went tit-for-tat throughout the contest.
Swan's goal in the dying moments killed off a spirited Meath challenge, as the visitors started strongly.
Aaron Chinchilla surged forward from centre-back to give Meath their first goal inside a minute, but Sean Kinsella tied it up at 1-1 apiece after just four.
Robbie Bolger pounced on a loose pass in the 13th minute to fire home the second Dublin goal, giving them a 2-3 to 1-2 lead, but again MEath cut it with a David Bell goal.
Fionn Murray and O'Dwyer kept the Dubs within reach at the break as Meath surged ahead off the second goal, with Niall Finnerty, Barry Thompson, and Eoghan Frayne kicking good scores.
The free-flowing contest continued in the second half, with Dean Plunk diving to deny Senan Forker, but O'Dwyer found the net as a Murray free came off the upright and he reacted quickest.
Meath kept the gap tight before the final telling intervention from Swan, whose late accurate finish confirmed the win.
Meath have a shot at dethroning Dublin in Leinster, insists Conor McGill
