Dolphin come away with win at Blackrock

BLACKROCK COLLEGE 6 DOLPHIN 12

Dolphin got back to winning ways with their first AIB League Division 1A victory in three games at a cold and sunny Stradbrook this afternoon.

A superior Dolphin made the journey fully worth their while and dominated the forward exchanges, with Munster back row duo Nick Williams and James Coughlan scoring the game's only tries.

Williams touched down with a close range surge before the break and Coughlan also crossed the whitewash following a brilliant crossfield kick by Dolphin captain Barry Keeshan.

Keeshan, Williams and Coughlan were all superb on the day for the Corkmen, with scrum half Sam Cronin producing an impressive display as the link man.

Blackrock took the lead thanks to an Ian Madigan penalty, but one of the best runs of the game from Dolphin full-back Denis McCarthy had the visitors camped close to the line with Williams breaking over for a 28th minute try.

With underage internationals Andrew Conway and Brendan Macken kept largely quiet, 'Rock trailed 7-3 at half-time.

Dolphin, 19-15 winners over the Stradbrook men in the corresponding game last season, dominated the forward exchanges in the second half to push on for the win.

Blackrock broke out twice in the closing 40 minutes, the first attack petered out with a penalty, but they made amends with the second as Madigan slotted over five minutes from time.

However before Madigan's second penalty success, Dolphin had already made the game safe.

Keeshan took the ball on the right hand side and promptly dropped it onto his left boot, landing it some 40 metres away in the left corner for Coughlan to touch down.

It might have been a good away win for Dolphin, but 'Rock', who are now winless in four league games, can take credit for taking a bonus point in a game in which the visitors held firm dominance.

Credit must go to Leinster's Niall Morris at full-back. He had his hat in the ring alongside at least four Dolphin players for the man-of-the-match award.

Dolphin now face into an AIB Cup semi-final clash with Garryowen next weekend, boosted by this impressive victory.

Scorers:

Blackrock College: Pens: Ian Madigan 2

Dolphin: Tries: Nick Williams, James Coughlan; Con: Barry Keeshan