Dolphin XV V Old Crescent.

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By Aoife O’ Callaghan.

As an Artic Airmass rolled in over the country, causing the cancellation of many AIL fixtures across the land, Dolphin knew they would have to have ice in their veins if they wanted to beat this Crescent side who currently sat just one place above them in the table. This lone Division 2A fixture was always going to be a tough one for Dolphin having come off the back of a string of losses and having to face off to a strong Crescent side which boasts names such as Ruadhan Quinn, Munster Rugby’s newest rising star.

As the winter sun shone down on Musgrave Park kick off got us underway at the stroke of half two. Crescent found themselves down to 14 men early on as Quinn was shown a yellow.

With just 10 minutes on the clock Dolphin found the try-line after scrumhalf Ryan Foley threw a quick ball out the blind which sailed into the hands of outhalf Cam O’ Shaughnessy

 

It wasn’t until the 28th minute that Old Crescent got their first score on the board as they crashed over for a converted try. But Dolphin fought back just before half-time as Dave O’ Mahony found the whitewash. Another Quinlan conversion followed, running in to the sheds at half-time the score line stood at 14-7 in Dolphin’s favour.

It was Crescent who got scoring underway in the second-half as they scored two successive tries. Only converting the one they now led 14-19 just before the hour mark.

It was a Mills try in the left hand corner that put Dolphin into the lead once more. With just over 20 minutes left on the clock, it was at this moment where the edge of your seat drama began. Just 5 minutes after Mills crossed over, Crescent scored their fourth try which was also not converted. Crescent were now just three points in the lead.

The drama did not stop there as yet another Crescent player saw yellow, which put them down to 14 men once more. With this on their side Dolphin found themselves in the lead once again as Mills crashed over for his second try of the afternoon. With just 10 minutes to go the home side now led 28-24.

Dolphin had to see the final few minutes out with just 14 players as captain Ryan Foley was sent to the bin. Unfortunately it was the travelling party who had the final score of the game as they crossed over in the 75th minute.

The full-time score stood at 28-31 in favour of Old Crescent.

It was an incredibly tough day in the office for our lads, with the score-line changing hands six different times. Even with the losing bonus point secured they remain 9th in the table going into Christmas break.

What’s next for Brian Scott’s crew you might ask. Next up is UL Bohs in the Munster Senior Challenge Plate semi-final, in Annacotty on the 7th of January.