Nenagh’s fast start shocks favourites Dolphin

Dolphin 7 Nenagh Ormond 29

This game fixed for Musgrave Park had to be transferred to the Mahon pitch after both the main and back pitches at the original venue were declared unplayable.

This was the inaugural year of the competition and Nenagh were full value for their victory against their more illustrious opponents.

Nenagh played with the advantage of the elements in the opening half and all the damage was done towards the end of the first quarter when Dolphin had a player yellow-carded. The Tipperary side ran in three tries from Shane O’Callaghan, Sam Nash and Jamie Quigley, with Dan Fogarty converting all three.

A penalty by Fogarty made it 24-0 at the break.

Nenagh extended their advantage with a try by John Hayes eight minutes into the second half.

The introduction of Barry Keeshan saw Dolphin dominate after this but their only reward was a try by Harry Fleming, which Keeshan converted.

DOLPHIN: N Walley; J Kiernan, E Mills, H Fleming, C Nolan; R Scannell, C Bannon; J Leahy, J Clery, D Hartnett; J Madigan, D O’Mahony; J Kind, J Vaughan, M Cronin.

Replacements: W Foley, R Martin, R O’Callaghan, B O’Callaghan, B Keeshan, C Hartnett, D Cronin.

NENAGH ORMOND: S Carey; S Nash, Derek Corcoran, G Harmse, Dave Corcoran; D Fogarty, M Fogarty; J Quigley, P O’Connor, F Brislane; S O’Callaghan; K O’Flaherty; L Viapula, R O’Brien, M Slattery.

Replacements: D Dunne, J Hayes, K Seymour, B Williams, R Whelan, A Mackey, A O’Dwyer.

Referee: J Quinn (MAR).