Clontarf 26
Dolphin 31
Despite scoring four tries, Clontarf found themselves on the losing side, as tries in either half from Eamon Mills helped Dolphin to a thrilling five-point victory at Castle Avenue.
The Cork men started the contest with furious intent, and were 12-0 up by the 10th minute, with a couple of well-worked tries from John Gleeson and Mills. Michael McGrath for ‘Tarf then reduced the deficit with a try. Richie Lane got the bonus, and then later for a Tom Byrne five-pointer to go 14-12 ahead at the break. Then scrum-half David Shanahan crossed over following a fine block-down by captain Evan Ryan.
Dolphin never allowed their heads to drop, though, and moved back into the ascendancy as a result of two quick-fire tries from Niall Scannell and James Kiernan. Mills then broke through for his second try. Matthew D’Arcy got a late try and ‘Tarf ended up with two points from the contest, but not enough to deny Dolphin the win.