Coughlan stars as Dolphin home run continues
AIB League pace-setters Clontarf did their best to do so with a strong late rally yesterday, but a James Coughlan-inspired side took the points that propel them from seventh place into the top four.
Victory was no less than they deserved but a bonus point was just reward for a Clontarf side that contributed handsomely to an exciting tussle.
Dolphin’s unbeaten home league record dates back to March 2007 and this latest win puts them right in the frame for a title challenge, a fact that didn’t escape delighted coach David O’Mahony.
“We played some good rugby and our lineout was awesome; we must have stolen eight or more of their throws. We proved here that we can beat anyone on a good day, particularly that we can beat anyone at home. I think we also signified that we’re not just capable of competing in the division but that we can win it; that’s really what people should be noticing.”
“It was a very good performance,” O’Mahony added. “Our work rate was superb, and it had to be because they’re a very good and physical team that was unbeaten in the competition up to now. You can see why they had such a good record, we had to defend for long spells in the second half but I thought we did so superbly; apart from their late try, I don’t really think we looked like conceding.”
He admitted being disappointed at the concession of the try but excused his charges: “I think we had given everything at that stage, and we won’t deny Clontarf the right to a bonus point. They probably deserved that.”
If the second half was dominated by the visitors, Dolphin were well on top earlier on and were unfortunate not to lead by more than a 9-3 margin, with two penalties and a drop goal from out half Barry Keeshan to a single Clontarf penalty from Darragh O’Shea.
A couple of penalty misses and one scorned try-scoring opportunity could have been costly for Dolphin were it not for determined third-quarter defence to frustrate the visitors.
Then, in an isolated 57th minute attack, Dolphin plundered Clontarf’s lineout through Coughlan, and supporting fellow back rower Barry O’Mahony steamed in for the crucial try. Keeshan converted for a 16-3 advantage.
Clontarf never gave up, with Paul O’Donoghue’s sniping runs from the base of the scrum often a source of trouble for Dolphin. Yet, the defence stood firm and they battled gamely on, with Justin Melck, David Ryan and Dave Harty ensuring their side got a lavish return both from line outs and rucks. Clontarf couldn’t compete adequately enough in either sector, and their rally came too late.
They scored four minutes from the end when Phil Howard ran brilliantly from deep and dotted down at the posts for a try that O’Shea converted.
Howard had another menacing run as the seconds ticked away but the Dolphin defence did just enough to hold out.
DOLPHIN: J Power; R Kenneally, W De Bruin, K Lynch, P Hurley; B Keeshan, G O’Keeffe; C Dundon, T O’Callaghan, D Ryan; C Rowe, D Harty; J Melck, J Coughlan, B O’Mahony.
Replacements: A O’Driscoll for O’Callaghan, 67; G Finn for O’Mahony, 84.
CLONTARF: P Howard; M Keating, D O’Shea, B O’Donnell, N O’Brien; M Dufficy, P O’Donoghue; A Clarke, A Dundon, N Treston; B Reilly, S Crawford; H Stride, M Garvey, N Carson.
Replacements: J Wickham for Treston, 47; D Lambert for O’Brien, 60; B Focas for Carson, 77.
Referee: S McDowell (IRFU).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
