Shannon 13 Dolphin 31
Shannon's dismal start to the Ulster Bank League continued when they went down to a superior Dolphin team at Coonagh this afternoon.
Out-half Barry Keeshan was hugely instrumental for the Corkmen once again, accumulating 16 points from the kicking tee and showing his class with ball in hand too.
Dolphin led 14-6 at the interval thanks to a penalty try in the seventh minute and flanker Rob O'Herlihy touched down after 21 minutes.
Shannon had taken an early led through the boot of Rob Guerin, and a superbly-taken try from Connacht's James Loxton put the Limerick giants right back into contention.
The winger made a great break down the left to touch down in the 56th minute, closing the gap to 17-13, but that was as good as it got for Stephen Keogh's youthful side.
Dolphin sewed up their second victory of the campaign - they are now fourth in the Division 1A standings - with a late try from bulldozing prop Christy Condon.
It was a score that had been coming as Shannon had to play with only 13 players for a spell in the second half following two yellow cards for professional fouls.
Dolphin, despite running out comprehensive winners, also had to dig deep in the opening period when they had a player sin-binned for repeatedly roaming offside.
Scorers:
Shannon: Try: James Loxton; Con: Rob Guerin; Pens: Rob Guerin 2
Dolphin: Tries: Penalty try, Rob O'Herlihy, Christy Condon; Cons: Barry Keeshan 2; Pens: Barry Keeshan 3; Drop: Barry Keeshan