Dolphin Ready For Rebel Rugby

There is plenty of Ulster Bank League action this Good Friday in Munster with three Division 1A derby games taking place between Cork and Limerick.

Young Munster kick off the action earlier in the afternoon at 3.30pm against UL Bohs at Tom Clifford Park while Thomond Park hosts Shannon and Garryowen and Musgrave Park hosts Dolphin and Con, both kicking off at 7.30pm.

Dolphin RFC have pitched their game as a "Rebel Rugby" affair with a competitive game in store against close rivals Cork Constitution.

Both Dolphin & Constitution will field many of Munster’s rising stars including, for Dolphin, last year's Irish U20s Captain Niall Scannell, Dave O’Callaghan and prop James Cronin, who was added to Munster's Heineken Cup squad last week.

Dolphin also have Rory Scannell and Ryan Murphy returning to Ulster Bank League action after representing the Ireland U20s in the 6 Nations Championship.

While Constitution, captained by Irish Club XV skipper Gerry Hurley, hope to call on the experience of Scott Deasy, Ian Nagle and John Ryan.

The kicking duel between both sides also presents an exciting element with Dolphin out-half and stalwart Barry Keeshan, who has amassed close to 1200 points in the All Ireland League, taking on his opposite number, the impressive Munster Rugby Academy player Johnny Holland.

Friday's game will also showcase the strong family ties in the Munster club community with three sets of brothers lining out in the game, Dolphin's Niall and Rory Scannell and James and Miah Cronin join Cork Con's Niall and Andrew O’Driscoll.

A bumper crowd is expected in Musgrave Park and Munster’s James Coughlan has appealed to the Cork rugby public to come out and support one of the highlights of the Cork rugby calendar. “Most of today’s Munster squad started their careers in the All Ireland League and it is a very high standard of rugby . Just last week my Munster team-mate Paul O’Connell played in the Ulster Bank League and this highlights the standard of the competition when a former Lion's Captain like Paul togs out in the AIL. Under lights on Good Friday, where else would you want to be? These are the Zebo’s and O’Gara’s of the future so if you enjoy any sport you should certainly enjoy this.”

The Good Friday encounter is one of the oldest derby’s in Irish Sport with the fixture running since 1902, and a great sporting occasion is planned by the Musgrave Park club with a mini rugby festival on the night as well as many heroes and sporting personalities set to take part in a half time kicking challenge, with father and son All Ireland football winning duo Jimmy & Paul Kerrigan set to face up to Pat O’Connell of the English Market fame.

The game kicks off at 7.30pm with gates opening and entertainment beginning from 6pm.

Video: View what James Coughlan and more had to say about Friday's Rebel Rugby encounter here.