Cork side overcome Young Munster with bonus-point win
Dolphin 26 Young Munster 20
A strong second half display saw Dolphin overhaul former Division 1A leaders Young Munster at Musgrave Park.
The Corkmen started with great intent and Young Munster took their time to settle with out-half Willie Staunton missing two difficult penalty attempts.
Munsters did manage to take the lead though, a solid series of scrums resulting in a yellow card for Dolphin loosehead prop James Cronin.
The Cookies took their opportunity as Staunton popped the resulting penalty into touch and front rower Ger Flaherty was driven over for a close range try which Staunton converted.
Dolphin’s Munster-capped flanker David O’Callaghan was fortunate to remain on the pitch after throwing a punch, and the hosts fell further behind when Staunton fired over his first successful penalty.
Soon though, it was the Dolphin pack’s turn to heap pressure on their counterparts at scrum time. Munsters could not hold out and a penalty try was awarded, with Flaherty receiving a yellow card.
A penalty from halfway from Staunton closed out the first half, leaving Young Munster with a 13-7 buffer to protect.
With Flaherty still in the sin-bin, tricky winger Mark Doyle broke through for a try early after the resumption with Staunton supplying the extras.
However, Dolphin got the nudge on at a five-metre scrum and a second penalty try was duly awarded. Barry Keeshan made it a seven-pointer and Munsters seemed to be struggling as flanker Liam Og Murphy saw yellow.
Loose tackling allowed Dolphin captain Eric Moloney to burst through for an unconverted try and suddenly the visitors’ lead was down to 20-19.
It was really anyone’s game at this stage, but the momentum was clearly with Steve Ford’s men and turnover ball led to the bonus point score for the industrious O’Callaghan.
Munsters piled forward in their attempts to hit back late on, however the losing bonus point was all they had to show for their efforts as they lacked a killer punch.
Scorers:
Dolphin: Tries: David O’Callaghan, Eric Moloney, 2 Penalty tries; Cons: Barry Keeshan 3
Young Munster: Tries: Ger Flaherty, Mark Doyle; Cons: Willie Staunton 2; Pens: Willie Staunton 2
HT: Dolphin 7 Young Munster 13
