Rory Scannell’s star soars for Dolphin
On Saturday, Dolphin’s Rory Scannell gave a tour de force from the out-half position in his side’s surprising 19 point win over Ulster Bank League Division 1A playoff chasers, UCD, at Musgrave Park.
His 24-point haul, including two memorable individual tries, has propelled the Munster A out-half — who also plays centre — into the spotlight and offer Munster supporters hope and belief that the province is capable of producing its own indigenous playmaking talents without having to resort to the chequebook for marquee overseas signings.
That Scannell (21) is learning his trade not just with Munster A but in the gritty surrounds of the Ulster Bank League brings to mind a young Ronan O’Gara who turned out regularly with Cork Con in the embryonic days of his Munster career before the miracle of Vicarage Road (December 1999) signalled the beginning of his Test career.
Scannell, a left-footer, has some way to go to match O’Gara’s career records, but the early signs are promising and his head coach at Dolphin, Steve Forde, believes his No 10 can step up to provincial senior rugby: “Rory’s a super talent and I believe he can go on and flourish at Munster,” said Forde. “I worked with him as a schoolboy at Pres where he also shone and gave indications that he could go onto better things.”
Apart from Scannell’s heroics, Forde was full of praise for his side’s courageous performance against a very talented Bobby Byrne-coached UCD side that in three previous meetings has posted big wins over their Cork rivals. However, the Dolphin revival and bid to avoid relegation continues as this win follows the Cork side’s first league victory last weekend and sees them just two points behind St. Mary’s at the foot of the table.
“I think we’ve turned a corner on and off the field,” admitted Forde. “A lot of players were putting their hands up this week for selection, and those who performed today did well. It was a well-deserved victory over a very dangerous team. We showed great hunger out there, especially with the game at 13-10 early in the second half and UCD were gaining momentum the boys stuck at it, put in the tackles time after time and got their reward.”
Dolphin enjoyed good possession in the opening quarter, the highlight a 5th minute Ken O’Halloran try, converted by Scannell, but their defence was made to work hard as UCD attacked in waves for the remainder of the half. The students, however, were guilty of some poor handling errors and decision-making while they provided little variation in their game and no plan B when the need was greatest. Donagh Lawler did pounce for a 27th minute try, set up brilliantly by Sam Coghlan-Murray, but Dolphin’s Scannell landed his second penalty before half time to leave it 13-7.
The home side were forced to defend for long periods early in the second half and, when Chris Rowe was yellow carded in the 56th minute, it seemed it was merely a matter of time before the students hit top gear. But that never materialised thanks mainly to Scannell who, with sublime skill showed great vision to break through the UCD defence in the 61st minute to dot down.
Eight minutes later the same player intercepted a UCD move on his own ‘22’ and sprinted 80 metres for his second try as Dolphin eyed a bonus point. And they richly deserved the five points when Peter McCabe ghosted in behind a ruck for Dolphin’s fourth try and, while UCD’s Brian Cawley got a consolation try in injury time, it was too little too late.
Scorers for Dolphin: Tries – Scannell (2), O’Halloran, McCabe. Pens – Scannell (2). Cons Scannell (4) Scorers for UCD: Tries — Lawler and Cawley. Pens – Bourke (1). Con – Bourke (1) DOLPHIN: E Mills; E O’Shuaghnessy, C McGovern, D Horgan, W Hanely; R Scannell, S Lee; P McCabe, K O’Halloran, J Rochford; C Rowe, D O’Mahony; R O’Herlihy, J Quill, J Fitzgerald (c).
Rolling replacements: D Byrne, J Leahy, B Quill, S Dougall.
UCD: S Coghlanb-Murray; A Byrne, H McNulty, S Murphy, T Fletcher; L Bourke, B Holland; G Frayne, R Byrne, L Hyland; R Molony, E McMahon (c), J Murphy, D Lawler, J Coghlan.
Rolling replacements: S McNulty, B Cawley, C Doherty.
Referee: L Colgan (IRFU).
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
