AIB All Ireland League

Plenty of AIB All Ireland League action this weekend, with a tantalising local derby in Cork between Division One sides Cork Constitution and Dolphin.

SAT 20th JANUARY 2007

AIB League Division 1:
Belfast Harlequins v Shannon, Deramore Park, 2.30
Dungannon v Ballymena, Stevenson Park, 2.30
Galwegians v Clontarf, Crowley Park, 2.30
Lansdowne v Terenure College, 2.30
St. Mary’s College v Blackrock College, Templeville Road, 2.30
U.C.D. v Garryowen, Belfield, 2.30

Division 2:
Bective Rangers v Barnhall, Donnybrook, 2.30
Clonakilty v Malone, Shannon Vale, 2.30
Midleton v Greystones, Towns Park, 2.30
Suttonians v Highfield, Station Road, 2.30
Thomond v D.L.S.P., Fitzgerald Park, 2.30
U.C.C. v Co. Carlow, Mardyke, 2.30

Division 3:
Ards v Sunday’s Well, Hamilton Park, 2.30
Ballynahinch v Banbridge, Ballymacarn Park, 2.30
Corinthians v City of Derry, Corinthian Park, 2.30
Queens University v Instonians, Dub Lane, 2.30
Rainey Old Boys v Old Wesley, Hatrick Park, 2.30
Wanderers v Portadown, Merrion Road, 2.30
Waterpark v Connemara, Ballinakill, 2.30

SUN 21st JANUARY 2007

AIB League Division 1:
Dolphin v Cork Constitution, Musgrave Park, 2.30
U.L. Bohemian v Buccaneers, Thomond Park, 2.30

Division 2:
Old Crescent v Old Belvedere, Rosbrien, 2.30
Young Munster v Dublin University, Clifford Park, 2.30

Division 3:
Nenagh Ormond v Bruff, Nenagh, 2.30

Dolphin v Cork Constitution

by Ger Hodkinson, Dolphin RFC PRO

Sunday 21st January Musgrave Park 2.30pm

Referee: Eanna O’Dowd ( Leinster )

Previous Results

• 28/2/1998 Dolphin 29 Cork Constitution 35
  (Conor Mahony D Pomeroy tries, J O’Mahony 4p, 2c & dg)
• 6/12/2003 Dolphin 9 Cork Constitution 12
  (J O’Mahony 3p)

Form Guide: (most recent games on lhs)
DOLPHIN
Last 5 AIB League Games- LWLLW
Last 5 HOME AIB League Games- LWLWW
CORK CONSTITUTION
Last 5 AIB League Games- WDWWW
Last 5 AWAY AIB League Games- WWWLW

Dolphin/ Cork Constitution

• Both sides have played 27 different players in the first 8 games, Dolphin have started 22 different players and Cork Constitution 24.
• This is the 60th game both sides have played against Munster opposition, Dolphin are going for their 34th win, Cork Constitution their 36th.
• Dolphin’s Head Coach David O’Mahony was playing for Cork Constitution when he was capped for Ireland. Cork Constitution’s forward’s coach, Terry Kingston was capped for Ireland when playing in Dolphin colours.
• The Dolphin half back pairing of Tomás O’Leary and Barry Keeshan both joined Dolphin from Constitution.
• New signing this season, Ross Noonan, joined Cork Constitution from UCC, he learned his rugby in Dolphin, playing with his father Gerry’s club up to U/16.
• How many Coughlan’s will be involved, will James be released by Munster and Kevin recover from injury in time. Who will be smiling on Sunday- will it be James or Kevin Coughlan

Cork Constitution FACTS

• Most Capped Player – Ronan O’Gara 66 caps
• Contracted Players – Ronan O’Gara, Denis Leamy Mick O’Driscoll Anthony Horgan, John Kelly, Donncha O’Callaghan, Frankie Sheahan, Denis Fogarty
• Academy Players – Duncan Williams, Ross Noonan, Tom Gleeson, Tim Ryan, Denis Hurley.
• Development Contract Shane O’Connor.
• Top Scorers 2005/06 Point’s (89) D Lyons Tries (8) Cronan Healy
• Frank Cogan, Des Murray, Merle O’Connell, Cronan Healy are all in the 49 man squad for the forthcoming AIB Club Internationals v English Counties and Scotland.

Dolphin FACTS

• Club Captain Rory McGrath is due to start his 75th AIB League game today.
• David Griffin (against Galwegians) became the 13th Dolphin player to score a try on his debut.
• John O’Mahony and Dave Pomeroy are the only players from either side that played in the 1997/98 fixtures and are still involved this season. (Note players, sorry Terry)
• Barry Keeshan/Dolphin have kicked the most penalties (20) in Division 1 after eight rounds.
• Barry Keeshan and Rory McGrath are in the 49 man squad for the forthcoming AIB Club Internationals v English Counties (23rd February) and Scotland (9Th March).

21st April is the final fixture- if the bottom four sides keep their positions there could be some very interesting fixtures as Terenure v St Mary’s & UCD v Belfast Harlequins.
There are four sides between the 3 Divisions with six bonus points, but Blackrock are way ahead with eight bonus points after eight games.

Dolphin Team News

Gary Conway
Ed Mills
Peter Owens
Eric Moloney
Kevin Lynch
Barry Keeshan
Tomás O’Leary
Fergus Gately
Kieran Murray
John O’ Sullivan
Rory McGrath (Capt)
Dave Harty
Donnchadha Murphy
George Finn
James Coughlan

Substitutes (From)
Shane Heffernan, Andrew O’ Driscoll, Richie McKinnie, Dave Pomeroy, Alan Daly, Jack Purcell, John O’Mahony, Gary O’Keeffe.