Munsters steal victory from wasteful Dolphin

A bizarre first-half try and dramatic last-gasp penalty helped Young Munster to a sensational 23-21 AIB League division two victory over Dolphin at Musgrave Park yesterday.

But if Dolphin were left to rue a couple of second-half opportunities to put this game beyond reach, they can actually have no real complaints with the result. Dolphin had the points from this game in the bag on three occasions and let the opportunity go.

Young Munster, for their part, battled their way back from a seemingly impossible situation on those three occasions and went back to Limerick with smiles from ear to ear.

Sure, referee Alan Rogan was deemed to be the villain of the piece when he awarded Young Munster that last minute penalty from, by all accounts, the wrong position on the pitch.

But Dolphin did not help themselves by conceding it in the first place when it seemed as if there was no major danger to their slim lead.

Dolphin winger Shane O’Halloran was yellow carded for a late tackle on opponent Derek Corcoran and Mark Connolly knocked over the kick for the lead, and the win.

Earlier, in the first half when Young Munster were down on their luck, out half Mike Lynch found himself in no space but chipped across the pitch to Connolly, and the speedy Corcoran made it all the way to the line to put his side back into a game that was fast slipping away from them.

It was that type of game between two dogged sides interested in making something out of what should have been a nothing start-of-the-season game.

Full credit to both for providing a small crowd with a huge degree of entertainment. It could have gone either way, but if Dolphin were the disappointed ones they contributed hugely to an exciting match. So much for the demise of AIB League rugby. So much for the scorn poured on the lower divisions.

Dolphin went six points up with a brace of penalties from Barry Keeshan, before Connolly responded in the 26th minute.

But Dolphin scrum half Jack Purcell scorched in for a 33rd minute try and Keeshan converted before that twist of fate turned the game back to equality. The try, a conversion by Connolly and a further penalty from the full back left the sides level at the break.

Dolphin, with the introduction of Dave Pomeroy and Fergus Gateley at the break, stormed forward throughout the third quarter. John O’Sullivan scored the try to put them 18-13 ahead and it could really have been a bigger advantage had his side taken opportunities.

But Young Munster captain Mark Shorley put in the hard yards and finished off a fine movement for another try and Connolly knocked over the conversion for a 20-18 lead.

The drama continued as Keeshan kicked an 80th penalty and Connolly responded in injury time to turn the game back in Young Munster’s favour.