This Saturday Dolphin host Old Belvedere in Ulster Bank League Division 1A, but it will also double as the launch for the inaugural McCarthy & O’Reilly trophy, honouring Irish rugby legends Jim McCarthy and Tony O’Reilly.
Following opening day defeats in the Ulster Bank League last weekend, both sides will be keen to open their win accounts as well as staking their claim for Irish rugby’s newest cup.
The newly-launched McCarthy & O’Reilly trophy honours two players who represented Dolphin with distinction while also having strong links with the Anglesea Road outfit.
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 eight tries.
His most famous try and undoubtedly one of Ireland’s fondest was one in Swansea in 1949 to clinch the Triple Crown and of course, he was part of the famous Grand Slam team of 1948.
He also toured with the Lions in 1950 and 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 and set try-scoring records for club, country and the Lions.
Dolphin have a great day of celebration planned for Saturday and Jim McCarthy’s son, James, will speak in Musgrave Park at the pre-match lunch. The match will kick off at 2.30pm.
Dolphin RFC President John Sylvester commented: “It is an honour for Dolphin RFC and its members to remember 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. We hope for an entertaining game and we look forward to the support of the Cork rugby public on Saturday and for the season ahead.”
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