Cork derby goes down to the wire

Dolphon 13 Cork Constituion 12

Today’s Cork derby in AIB League Division 1A was decided by a last-gap drop goal from Dolphin number 10 Barry Keeshan.

The Ireland club international flicked a well-judged kick through the posts in the second minute of injury-time to wrestle back the league points for the home side.

This Musgrave Park clash was a real war of attrition in the first half, with the rain adding to the error count and scores proving very hard to come by.

Munster centre Tom Gleeson slipped through for a fifth-minute try to open Cork Con’s account. Richie Lane added the conversion.

Keeshan replied for Dolphin with a 10th-minute penalty and the home pack mustered a surge towards the end of the first half, gaining a penalty try decision from referee Alan Lewis.

Keeshan added the conversion to give Dolphin a 10-7 lead to take into the break.

The second half burst into life when former Cork Con skipper Frank Cogan muscled his way over for the visitors’ second try, which went unconverted.

Brian Walsh’s side looked like they might hold on for a famous win, but Keeshan denied them with a fine drop goal.

SCORERS:

Dolphin: Try: Penalty try; Con: Barry Keeshan; Pen: Barry Keeshan; Drop: Barry Keeshan

Cork Constitution: Tries: Tom Gleeson, Frank Cogan; Con: Richie Lane