McCarthy & O’Reilly Trophy Launched

Dolphin defeated Old Belvedere 21-15 in the inaugural McCarthy & O’Reilly Trophy in Musgrave Park on Saturday last honouring Irish rugby legends Jim McCarthy and Sir Anthony O’Reilly.

Jim McCarthy has a special place in Dolphin’s history but also in the history of Irish Rugby. McCarthy was capped 28 times for Ireland and scored 8 tries. His most famous try and undoubtedly one of Ireland’s fondest was one in Swansea in 1949 to clinch the Triple Crown and the subsequent famous Grand Slam of 1949. He also toured with the Lions in 1950 and Jim McCarthy has the distinction of being the first Munster man to captain the Irish rugby team.

Tony O’Reilly played with Dolphin from 1960 until 1962 while based in Cork. Capped for Ireland 29 times he had a remarkable career setting records for try scoring for Club, Country and the Lions.

Dolphin President John Sylvester commented "It is an honour for Dolphin RFC and it’s members to commemorate two living legends of Irish Rugby and a great opportunity to celebrate our past while being a showpiece of our present club game with legends of the future".

"We as a club are very grateful to one of our members for presenting this trophy. Irish rugby is in a great place at the moment and with growing support from the IRFU and the sporting public it can continue to be so with a vibrant Ulster Bank All Ireland League".