Rare home loss for Dolphin

Dolphin 9 Garryowen 21

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION 1A

Former Buccaneers player Alan Gaughan helped himself to two tries as Garryowen beat Dolphin for the second time in the space of two weeks.

Dolphin suffered a rare AIB League loss on their home patch at Musgrave Park, in a sometimes tempestuous Division 1A encounter.

The sides' most recent meeting ended in controversial circumstances, with injuries to Garryowen forcing uncontested scrums in an area Dolphin had been dominating.

Despite ending the game with 14 players, Garryowen held on to claim a 13-12 win and hold onto their hopes of fighting back into play-off contention.

Today's clash saw Garryowen use a first half wind advantage to canter into a 13-0 half-time lead.

Their impressive Conor Murray, who slotted in at full-back and scrum half, kicked them ahead from a 22-metre penalty and added a second with eight minutes remaining in the first half.

Dolphin captain Barry Keeshan, back from injury, missed two long range penalty efforts and the visitors closed out the half with a converted try from Gaughan, who linked well with Kevin Hartigan in midfield.

Keeshan reduced the arrears for his side with penalties after 45 and 58 minutes. Murray and Keeshan swapped further penalties, after 61 and 66 minutes, to set up a hugely exciting finish at 16-9.

But just when it looked like Dolphin might pull off an unlikely draw, Garryowen sealed the issue in injury-time with a second try from Gaughan.

The Light Blues deserved it as they were the better side on the day, with hooker Mike Sherry, fresh from a replacement appearance for Munster, playing his part in their fourth win in five league games.

Scorers: Dolphin: Pens: Barry Keeshan 3

Garryowen: Tries: Alan Gaughan 2; Con: Conor Murray; Pens: Conor Murray 3