Ulster Bank League: Division 1B Previews - Naas vs Dolphin

NAAS 30 DOLPHIN 8, Forenaughts


Former professionals Johne Murphy and Fionn Carr both crossed the whitewash as Naas defeated Dolphin 30-8 to climb up to third in the table.

It took Murphy's high-flying side a while to get going in very tough conditions at Forenaughts, but the player-coach, who was partnered by Carr in the centre, touched down to cancel out an earlier Barry Keeshan penalty.

Bottom side Dolphin were only 12-8 in arrears at half-time, industrious lock Rob O'Herlihy (22 minutes) scoring their one and only try of the afternoon. Naas hit back with their second approaching the interval, with full-back Michael Skelton getting over.

A Peter Osborne penalty on the hour mark stretched Naas' lead out to seven points and in a frenetic final few minutes, the Corkmen completely collapsed as their hopes of a bonus point went up in flames.

Carr, captain Will O'Brien and Osborne all dotted down late on to claim just a second try-scoring bonus point of the season for Naas. Goal-kicking scrum half Osborne finished with 10 points, moving his haul for the 2016/17 campaign to 97.