Keeshan on target as disciplined Dolphin eye play-offs
Saturday’s win, their eighth of this campaign, was made all the sweeter for the winners who were without talismatic duo, James Coughlan and Tomas O’Leary, on duty with Munster in Cardiff. Dolphin’s task was indeed sizeable given that the visitors could call upon a host of contracted players after Ulster’s Magners League game on Friday night, but, despite the loss of their totem performers, the host outfit’s work rate and commitment was admirable in the face of relentless second half pressure on their own line, which was kept largely intact.
Ireland club international Barry Keeshan landed 12 points to help maintain Dolphin’s 100% home record, and leave the Cork club two points from the coveted fourth spot, currently occupied by Clontarf. A top four finish would mark a wonderful achievement by Dave O’Mahony’s side. However, two of their three remaining fixtures are against perennial title front runners Shannon (home, March 23) and Cork Con (away, April 19), while an away fixture at St Mary’s will not be viewed as a ‘gimme’ either.
“We are looking towards the top four, but taking one game at a time,” cautioned O’Mahony. “This victory continues to keep us in the chase. I think on our day we can beat anybody. Obviously it depends on other results. We’re pushing for it and it’s certainly a target.”
Dolphin had their chances to tie up this game just before relegation-threatened Dungannon got on the front foot and laid siege to the try line. For long periods of the second half, Dolphin were on the defensive but stood firm to repel a fired-up Gannon. Inspired by the dynamic David Pollock, unrelenting pressure saw the visitors cross three times but they were held up each time by a brave Dolphin defence.
They did cross eventually, Pollock adding a second to a spectacular 52nd minute solo effort. He was the game’s stand out performer and it cannot be long before we see him make his full Ireland debut.
However, the day belonged to Dolphin. “Before the season started,” said O’Mahony, “we were favourites for relegation alongside the newly promoted sides. We also had the longest odds in the division to win the league, but we’ve good players. We’ve got a great work rate, great honesty and added a bit of quality this year.”
The work ethic O’Mahony praised was visible from the first minute, Kieran Murray making an early burst over the gain-line to force a penalty which Keeshan reliably converted. Dolphin’s defence also stood firm with midfield paring of Duncan Richardson and Eric Maloney in top form. Keeshan landed his second from inside the Gannon 10 metre line on 13 minutes before the home side used their maul to excellent effect: one 15 metre rumble bringing them inside the 22 before Gannon were penalised for pulling it down illegally. Again Keeshan hit the target and added another in injury time after Martin Boyd was binned to leave Dolphin 12-0 in front at half time.
Eight minutes after the restart soft hands from Maloney and Rory Kenneally brought play inside the Gannon 22. The latter was tackled into touch by Jonny Bell and from the resultant lineout and maul, Andrew O’Driscoll powered his way over. Pollock then showed his class, taking a deft offload from Bell inside half way and charging through a couple of tacklers for a memorable try which Richard McCarter converted. Gannon then set up camp inside the Dolphin 22 for the remainder of the half. But Dolphin’s discipline was admirable as was their high tackle count. They held up Gannon over the line three times before Pollock finally powered over in the 72nd minute, but Dolphin held out for a deserved victory.
Scorers for Dolphin: A O’Driscoll try; B Keeshan 4 pens, con.
Scorers for Dungannon: D Pollack 2 tries; R McCarter con.
D McCarthy; R Kenneally, E Maloney, D Richardson, P Phelan; B Keeshan, G O’Keeffe; F Gately, K Murray, C Condon; F McCormack, D Harty; G Finn (capt), R Geoghan, H O’Flynn.
Replacements: A O’Driscoll for Murray (45); R McGrath for Finn (inj 60), S Heffernan for Gately (75).
J McGuckin; N Patterson, P Magee, J Bell, D Black; R McCarter, K Campbell; D Terblanche, N Brady, G Sinnamon; N Magee, M Boyd; D Hall, D Pollock (capt), T Anderson.
M Gargan (LAR)
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