It’s hard to believe that Dolphin Senior’s were playing their first home game since the defeat to Galwegians in the play off last April.
They were led out by James Vaughan on his 100th AIL appearance for Dolphin, he would have achieved the honour of being the 14th Dolphin Centurion sooner, were it not for a couple of seasons (and 29 AIL appearances) with Shannon between his 11th & 12th appearances.
With both sides looking for back to back wins, it was Omagh that struck first, who other than the 26 point hero from last week, Scott Elliott to open the scoring with a converted try.
Dolphin went back to their game plan and soon levelled the game, an excellent lineout and maul saw Billy Kingston score his first adult try for Dolphin and Jordi Soli made it 7-7.
Soli and Elliott exchanged penalties to make it 10-1o.
Then it was the opportunity for the backs to get on the scoresheet, it was none other than Cam O’Shaughnessy, the leading try scorer in this seasons squad and Soli made it 17-10.
He did not need help, but the whole crowd got behind James Vaughan and wished him over the try line, making a great day even better for the centurion. Soli added the extras. 24-10
The try bonus point came before the break, once again it was Cam O’Shaughnessy, he is now 1 try behind 2nd place Eric Moloney in overall AIL tries scored for Dolphin.
It was the Ulstermen who scored on the final whistle of the first half, an unconverted try, making it 29-15 at half time.
Playing towards their own clubhouse in the 2nd half, Jordi Soli showed his class and scored an unconverted try. His fellow try scorer from last week, Craig O’Connell made it 39-15 and Soli converted.
Dolphin were able to make some experimental changes and still finished out with a further 2 tries, from Eoghan Herlihy converted by Soli, and Matt Barry who started at No 8 and finished on the wing.
Matt Barry scores Dolphin’s eight try, much to the delight of ball boy, Alex Loyola.
It finished 53-15 and we are on the road to Clonmel next Saturday.