O’Leary goes over on season debut for Dolphin

Munster scrum half Tomas O’Leary made his first appearance of the season for Dolphin and scored a try as the Cork side defeated Blackrock today.

Dolphin 24 Blackrock College 3, Musgrave Park

Munster scrum half Tomas O’Leary made his first appearance of the season for Dolphin and scored a try as the Cork side defeated Blackrock College 24-3 this afternoon.

Dolphin’s greater forward grunt proved too much for ‘Rock at Musgrave Park, with all four of the hosts’ tries set up by their pack.

Flanker George Finn and O’Leary both dotted down early on for a 10-0 Dolphin lead at the break.

Centre Fionn Carr landed a 42nd-minute penalty for ‘Rock, but converted tries from Finn and centre Peter Owens helped Dolphin push up to fourth in the table.

Dolphin’s forwards, with Finn and number 8 James Coughlan in particularly good form, were on top right from the kick-off.

O’Leary formed a snappy half-back partnership with former UCC out-half Barry Keeshan and it was from this platform that Dolphin, who had their game against Harlequins postponed last week, set up their second win of the league campaign.

‘Rock were 10-0 behind inside the first quarter-hour and it would have been worse but Keeshan, in difficult conditions, missed both conversions and was then wayward with a 19th-minute penalty chance.

While the quality was poor – both sides made a number of handling errors – Dolphin did take their tries well and ‘Rock’s opportunities were limited, especially when Leinster lock Adam Byrnes was yellow-carded for an off-the-ball offence.

Finn’s second score on 57 minutes was the best of the afternoon as the former Munster Youths player used his strength to crash over, evading two would-be tacklers from close range.

Keeshan converted both second half tries to take his scoring haul in the league to 13.

Fittingly, the win came in Dolphin’s 200th game in AIB League history and notably, the Cork club’s last home win over Blackrock was secured way back in October 1992 when current Munster coach Declan Kidney kicked a drop goal in a 14-8 success.

Scorers:

Dolphin: Tries: Tomas O’Leary, George Finn 2, Peter Owens;

Cons: Barry Keeshan 2

Blackrock: Pen: Fionn Carr