A SUPERB hat-trick from Anthony Kavanagh supported Garryowen's late push for a semi-final place in the AIL Division 1 following yesterday's superb win over Dolphin at Musgrave Park.

It was evident in the early minutes that the Shannonsiders meant business. Their players were quick to show their dominance and it only took them five minutes to crash over for the game's opening try.

A superb break by Kavanagh allowed him to find space and he followed this with a fantastic pass to full-back Conor Kilroy who went over for a fine score in the corner.

Kilroy also kicked the superb conversion as Dolphin looked bewildered by the tenacious play of their opponents who were quick out of the blocks.

After more pressure Garryowen were rewarded with their second try four minutes later when Damien Varley found space to touch down following some excellent work by the hard-working pack.

With Kilroy converting, the Limerick side looked comfortable and began to express themselves around the park with the confidence of a team who were 14-0 ahead. But six minutes later the Cork side were back in the game with a fine score of their own.

Following a decent maul, the ball broke loose to Alan Daly who reacted quickest and took his opportunity with ease as Barry Keeshan converted.

Garryowen always looked dangerous going forward, however, and they soon regained some measure of dominance. Indeed, after a Kilroy penalty they were further rewarded when Kavanagh took a pass from Federico Quaglia to score a try. This score surged them into a 22-7 interval lead.

The large attendance were treated to some wonderful open rugby and Dolphin got some reward for their hard work in the 50th minute when Eric Maloney stunned the Garryowen defence with an excellent try.

The home team were then put to the pin of their collar for the remainder of the game as Kavanagh took advantage of a poor Andrew O'Driscoll throw in to crash over in the corner.

But there was more scoring to come in the game and with the minutes counting down the home team were unlucky to be punished when Kavanagh bolted through the tired home defence for a brilliant third try which secured the 20-point win.

DOLPHIN D Kingston; E Mills, G Conway, E Maloney, K Lynch; B Keeshan, G O'Keeffe; F Gately, A O'Driscoll, J O'Sullivan, R McGrath, D Harty, G Finn, D Murphy, A Daly Subs D Pomeroy for K Murray, 40 mins GARRYOWEN C Kilroy; A O'Loughlin, F Quglia, C Doyle, C O'Boyle; A Kingsley, K O'Boyle; R Brosnan, D Varley, E McGovern, M Melbourne, D Sheehan, P Neville, A Kavanagh, P Malone Subs E Mackey for Sheehan, 60 mins; D Sherry for Malone 60 mins; P Humphreys for Varley 70 mins; J Staunton for Brosnan, 77 mins; W Cunningham for O'Boyle 77 mins Referee A Lewis (Leinster)