Dolphin leap into final

Dolphin, newly promoted to Division One for next season, claimed a place in the Division Two final after a hard-fought victory over UCC at Musgrave Park on Saturday.

It required a try from flanker Sean Madigan, converted by the player in question, five minutes from full-time to copperfasten the home side's victory.

Up until that point the Students looked like pulling off a shock win. Backed by the breeze, they led 11-3 at the interval through a try from Peter Morehan and a penalty and drop goal from centre Conrad O'Sullivan. Dophin's response was a penalty from outhalf John O'Mahony.

But they responded early in the second half with a try from Donagh Keeshan, which O'Mahony converted. However, UCC refused to buckle and when O'Sullivan grabbed a try on 57 minutes, which he converted, the momentum again swung. Madigan's late intervention saved the Dolphin blushes.

The Cork side will now meet Old Crescent in the final after the latter overcame DLSP at Rosbrien, 31-15. DLSP led 15-5 at the interval through five penalties from Conor Hickey to a try from Kilternan old boy Shane Stephens. Crescent though now had the advantage of a strong wind after the interval and they took no time in eating into the Dublin side's lead.

Winger Finbar Hogan was first to cross for a try, Stephens grabbed his second and Liam Browne added another, all three converted by Eoin Reddan.

In the Division Three final played at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, Wanderers thumped Waterpark 51-5 in a staggeringly one-sided affair. It was rendered all the more surprising by the fact that it was Waterpark who won promotion to Division Two by topping the table during the league proper.