Kerry link could drive Dolphin’s effort

DOLPHIN could rely on an extended Kerry GAA link to help them prosper in the top flight of the AIB League this season.

Already, they’re captained by Cork-based Garda Rory McGrath, from Beaufort, who played a big role in Saturday’s deserved victory over UCD at Musgrave Park.

But while Australian import Peter Owens is currently generating most of the excitement in the club, Kerry GAA star Darren O’Sullivan could well make an impact in the Dolphin colours before the close of season.

O’Sullivan will be studying in the Cork Institute of Technology this year and Dolphin have, through McGrath, offered him the facilities of the club.

“Darren has no rugby background, but he has a huge amount of football skill and could play anywhere in the backline. He’s very fast and strong with all the attributes to play any game,” McGrath said.

O’Sullivan will receive a warm welcome from the Dolphin coach David O’Mahony, who said: “Obviously, Darren’s first priority is GAA and we appreciate that; when his commitments there are over for the season, we’ll see what he wants to do. Either way, we’re prepared to help him keep fit and will facilitate him in any way we can.”

But is it possible to turn him into a rugby player?

“I think so,” said O’Mahony. “It’s about getting him into the right situation; giving him the right grounding and sorting out his ability to tackle. If he’s interested and wants to give rugby a go, we’ll give him the opportunity.”

For the moment, Owens is the central back-line figure in Dolphin’s plans for the season, and O’Mahony believes the club should make hay before he’s snapped up by Munster.

O’Mahony said: “He’s an outstanding footballer whose contract with the ACT Brumbies ran out and he decided to give it a go overseas. Already, he has made a huge impact here.”

Certainly he showed a vast range of skills in the well worked win over UCD, and he contributed handsomely to two of the Dolphin tries as the Cork side came from behind to take the points.

Dolphin eased into the lead with two penalties from Barry Keeshan in the opening minutes, but then appeared to lose the plot when they coughed up a penalty to Fergus McFadden and a try to Sean O’Brian that McFadden converted.

Dolphin ended the first and began the second half strongly. Within three minutes of the re-start, winger Ed Mills scorched over for a fine try after both Owens and Gary O’Keeffe had split the UCD defence.

Twelve minutes later, Owen breached the UCD cover yet again. This move was carried on by Mills and he sent Eric Moloney in for another try.

James Coughlan got in for the third with 10 minutes left and Keeshan stroked over his third penalty three minutes from the end. Dolphin finished the game comfortably in control, even if they did yield a late, late try to Brian McGovern, with McFadden adding the conversion.