DOLPHIN 18 CLONTARF 20, Musgrave Park
Scorers: Dolphin: Tries: Miah Cronin, Rory Scannell; Con: Barry Keeshan; Pens: Barry Keeshan 2
Clontarf: Tries: Michael McGrath 2, Timmy McCoy; Con: Darragh Fitzpatrick; Pen: Darragh Fitzpatrick
HT: Dolphin 5 Clontarf 10
Darragh Fitzpatrick nailed a late penalty to see Clontarf overhaul hosts Dolphin in a titanic Ulster Bank League clash at Musgrave Park.
Barry Keeshan looked like he had won it for the Cork side, converting a 76th minute penalty having missed two previous shots at the posts.
However, Fitzpatrick was presented with a last-gasp opportunity in deepest injury-time and he split the uprights to give ‘Tarf a gritty away victory.
This was fifth hosts sixth in the top flight and both sides were clearly determined to bounce back from defeats in the previous round.
Clontarf struck first with 11 minutes gone as their captain Evan Ryan broke smartly and released winger Michael McGrath for an unconverted try in the corner.
Dolphin were back level within seven minutes, number 8 Brian O’Callaghan charging off the back of a scrum and passing for his back row colleague Miah Cronin to touch down.
That try went unconverted as did Timmy McCoy’s effort - his third try of the league run - which gave the north Dubliners a 10-5 interval lead.
Dolphin out-half Keeshan landed the first successful place-kick by either side four minutes into the second half, slotting a penalty over from 25 metres out.
‘Tarf pushed 17-8 clear after McGrath swooped for his second try of the game in the 60th minute, converted by Fitzpatrick, but Dolphin cancelled that out four minutes later.
Munster ‘A’ starlet Cian Bohane showed clean pair of heels to the Clontarf cover and set up supporting winger Rory Scannell for a well-taken try.
Keeshan converted for a 17-15 scoreline and he nudged Steve Ford’s men a point clear before Fitzpatrick rescued the win for ‘Tarf from the jaws of defeat.