Derby Victory For Dolphin

Dolphin recorded the double over neighbours Cork Constitution with a three point victory at Temple Hill in their return Division 1A Ulster Bank League clash.

Cork Constitution 6, Dolphin 9.
A magnificent performance by the Dolphin pack saw them take a big step away from relegation with this victory.

Full credit must go to the Cork Constitution ground staff for getting the pitch fit for a game after last week’s Club International and the bad weather in between.

Dolphin elected to play with the wind in the opening half that got stronger as the game went on. They took the lead after three minutes when Barry Keeshan landed a penalty.

The visitors dominated the opening quarter with center Cian Bohane looking dangerous with some powerful runs up the middle. Keeshan missed a kickable penalty on thirteen minutes.

Constitution gradually worked their way into the game and their efforts were rewarded when Captain Gerry Hurley drew them level with a penalty on nineteen minutes. Five minutes later Hurley saw a second effort go wide of the posts.

Dolphin were forced to make a switch on twenty five minutes with Eoin O’Shaughnessy coming in at scrum half for the injured Chris Bannon and they regained the lead minutes later with a long range penalty from Rory Scannell.

Bohane was yellow carded seven minutes before the break and approaching half time a big melee developed involving several players from both sides that resulted in Scannell and Con’s Ger Sweeney being yellow carded.

From the resulting penalty Keeshan kicked Dolphin into a 9-3 interval lead.

Faced with the strong gale the Dolphin pack rose to the occasion and upped their performance with the back row of Miah Cronin, John Quill and Ryan Murphy putting in excellent displays and never allowed the home side get into positions to threaten the Dolphin line.

The first scoring chance of the second half came on fifty eight minutes when Keeshan saw his penalty attempt go wide of the posts.

Two minutes later Hurley reduced the deficit to 9-6 with a penalty but was off target with another long range effort minutes later.

It was Dolphin who finished the stronger as they had the home side pressed deep in their own half much to the joy of the visiting supporters.

Scorers Cork Constitution: Gerry Hurley 2 pens.
Dolphin : Barry Keeshan 2 pens, Rory Scannell 1 pen.

Cork Constitution: Darragh Lyons: Mick Keyes, Luke Duffy, Ivan Dineen, Conor Desmond; Johnny Holland, Gerry Hurley; Gavin Duffy, Andy O’Driscoll, Ger Sweeney; Joe McSwiney, Cathal O’Flaherty; Graham Lawlor, James Ryan, Willie Ryan.
Replacements: Luke Cahill, Chris Corkery, Brian Cagney, Chris Quinn, Yasin Browne.

Dolphin: Eamonn Mills: Darren Sweetnam, Cian Bohane, Rory Scannell, John Gleeson; Barry Keeshan, Chris Bannon; Damien Attridge, Will Foley, Chris Condon; Chris Rowe, Darren O’Shea; Miah Cronin, John Quill, Ryan Murphy.
Replacements: Dave Byrne, John Leahy, Rob O’Herlihy, Eoin O’Shaughnessy, Andrew O’Leary.

Referee: Eddie Hogan-O’Connell (IRFU).