The week's festivities at Punchestown would have paled in comparison had Kildare managed to hold on at Croke Park yesterday.
But it was a case of close but no celebratory cigar for the Lilywhites as Dublin's second half comeback kept their 12-year winning streak in Leinster running and their sights set on a 13th provincial title on the spin.
This was game 38 of the historic, remarkable run that stretches all the way back to the provincial quarter-final defeat of Laois in 2011.
READ MORE: Kildare manager Glenn Ryan blasts GAA for allowing Dublin Croke Park advantage
It was also one of Dublin's worse performances in that period and, as such, overshadowed the return of Stephen Cluxton between the posts for the first time since his last time lifting the Sam Maguire Cup in December 2020.
As it transpired he played well, pulling off a spectacular save early on from Jack Robinson's shot before guarding his area with authority, and there weren't many among his colleagues who could say that.
Whereas eight days ago the Blues were granted the freedom of O'Moore Park by Laois' porous defence and helped themselves to a handsome 4-30 total, on this occasion they were greeted by Kildare's blanket defence at Headquarters and struggled badly to deal with it.
Ciaran Kilkenny and Con O'Callaghan had quiet days, Brian Fenton and a host of others only came into the game in the closing stages.
And it was only then that the Dubs got to grips with their predicament having fallen four points behind in the 42nd minute to win by two in the end, by which time their rivals looked out on their feet.
Nevertheless it looked and felt a long way from the side's Leinster final mis-match of last year, when Dublin blitzed their way to a 14-point victory.
"It definitely wasn't a scare, we know it was going to be that way," said Dubs boss Dessie Farrell.
"Kildare had a lot to play for today and we were definitely flat at times, just off-colour with certain dimensions of our game but very happy with the grittiness and determination and spirit that we showed to be able to dig it out.
"The last two times we played in the league, Kildare won in Newbridge and we nipped them by a point here at the start of this year's campaign.
"The outlier was probably last year's championship game but there was never that type of a difference between the teams and that was demonstrated today.
"It was a tough, competitive game and we're just delighted to come through it.
"There are occasions that you have to roll up the sleeves and dig it out and win dirty, and I think we did that today."
Kildare already knew prior to the delayed throw-in that they would be playing in the All-Ireland series and not the Tailteann Cup and, after finishing a fairly traumatic Division 2 campaign with two morale-boosting victories, they made it difficult for Dublin from the start.
Blues forwards were constantly crowded out or sent down suffocating channels to be turned over.
But, equally, the Dubs played with a lack of inventiveness that made it easy for their opponents to win possession and play effectively on the counter to build that two point lead at the break.
Not surprisingly, Jack McCaffrey and Cormac Costello came on at the start of the second half and McCaffrey in particular had a real influence as the game went on.
Initially, however, Kildare continued in the same vein and superb scores by the outstanding Paddy Woodgate and Ben McCormack pushed them four points clear.
Dublin had to respond and did so in calm fashion, gradually reeling in their opponents before their attacking move of the game resulted in Cormac Costello's 64th minute free that saw them hit the front for the first time.
Paul Cribbin was marginally off target with a point attempt that would have restored parity in the second of five injury time minutes.
"At the other end, Lorcan O'Dell's effort was tipped over by Lilywhites keeper Mark Donnellan for the insurance score.
Pride restored to an extent for Kildare after a difficult start to 2023, but they will leave Croke Park with regret as this upset was on.
"Frustration, but huge pride in the players," said Lilywhites boss Glenn Ryan.
"Maybe with better execution we could have won but give me the fella who will go for it rather than somebody who will hide and shy away.
"These fellas didn’t shy away. They worked so hard to be ahead, then worked hard to get back in front and then worked very hard and bravely to try win the game.
"No doubt they showed huge character, huge manliness, huge bravery. But we didn’t win the game.
"These fellas don’t need me to tell them how brave and manly they are, they just want to try and win something and give their best when they go out.
"I still think we left a bit behind in terms of performance, but in terms of commitment and effort, by Jaysus you couldn’t fault the boys in any way.
"We are in the draw on Tuesday. But we are hugely disappointed, it’s not about moral victories or moral defeats."
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