Dolphin had a very comfortable victory over Midleton in the semi final of the Cork Charity Shield at Towns Park on Thursday, the first competitive game Dolphin have had since 3rd October 2020.
Prop Johnny Leahy took the ball into contact from the kick off and unfortunately he suffered a facial cut and had to retire injured. Midleton had the better of the early exchanges and got a penalty in front of the posts to lead 3-0 after just eight mins.
It did not take Dolphin long to get the opening try, after a couple of carries off a lineout, James Vaughan was credited with the score. Hooker Cian Scott got his first try a few minutes later and Daryl Foley added the conversion.
Vaughan crossed the line for try No 3 after 35 mins, Foley added the conversion leaving the score Midleton 3 Dolphin 19 at half time.
On 49 minutes, after a series of rucks, Dolphin sucked in the cover and had maybe a 4 man overlap and second row Matt Barry had no difficulty in finding a gap, again Foley added the extras. 3- 26
Rob Reardon was next on the scoresheet but Tim Marron scored the try of the game. From an overthrow at a lineout close to the Dolphin 5m line, a Dolphin player collected the ball and it went through 3 or 4 pairs of Dolphin hands before Marron scored the try converted by Foley. 3-38
Midleton were penalised for a high tackle and Ryan O’Herlihy kicked for the corner. Dolphin won the lineout and controlled the maul, the ball being transferred to the back and Cian Scott scored his 2nd try, a shout went out about being the leading scorer. O’Herlihy converted the try to make it 45-3. Midleton went on the offensive from the kickoff and finished with a try before the referee blew for full time.
Dolphin will play the winners of Saturday’s game between Clonmel & Sundays Well in the final.