Dolphin sitting pretty

Dolphin 56 Portadown 8

The club went from division one right back to division two and then from sixth to 13th, to 9th and 14th positions in the lower division. If it wasn’t quite hell, it certainly was purgatory.

However, if things are good on the pitch, they’re not so rosy off it. Club President Gerald Reidy, a former international player and later a top IRFU administrator, isn’t happy with the way the club game is being run .

“We are draining our members financially in a bid to survive and that shouldn’t be the case.”

But if Dolphin and many other clubs are seemingly on a collision course with the IRFU, there are no complaints these days about the type of rugby being produced on the Pearse Road side of Musgrave Park.

Coach Hamish Adams, however, sounded a note of caution. “When you look at the league table you will see that we have beaten three of the bottom four teams. We have to be careful not to lose the run of ourselves.

“We beat DLSP in our first game but Midleton put over 50 points on them this weekend. We beat Barnhall but they lost by over 40 points to Old Crescent on Saturday so we have to keep everything in perspective.

“We’re up there challenging at the moment and it is a direct contrast to last season when we felt under severe pressure in every game after losing the first couple. This latest win helps take the heat off and we can relax a little in a very positive way.”

Though the terraces were almost as deserted, the home support had plenty to cheer about against Portadown. Dolphin played brilliantly, fuelled by a super efficient pack and sparked by the guile of centre Barry O’Neill and the brilliance of full-back Mike Pettman.

By half-time it was done and dusted as Dolphin led 36-3, thanks to tries from Shane Madigan, Pettman, O’Neill, Darren O’Farrell and Mick Manning. Had John O’Mahony been close to his usual high goal kicking standards, Dolphin would have been further out the gap.

The bonus point secured, Dolphin continued their rampage after the break. James Coughlan, O’Farrell, reserve Paul Farragher and winger Lennie Twomey all went in for tries while Johnny Cupitt had a consolation score for Portadown.

Coach Adams believes Coughlan may not spend long as a regular in the Dolphin jersey. “In my view he is destined to be recognised at representative level. He has everything going for him.”

Alan Gaffney and Brian Hickey are already aware of Coughlan’s ability. They might well check out Pettman’s credentials too.