Dolphin win tight encounter over Clontarf

Dolphin 9 Clontarf 3

Barry Keeshan crowned his 100th appearance in the Ulster Bank League by steering Dolphin to a tension-filled home win over Clontarf.

The Corkmen turned the tables on second-placed ‘Tarf with Keeshan supplying all of the points in the form of two penalties and a drop goal.

Out-half Keeshan mastered the elements to send Dolphin into an early lead, landing a penalty from 30 metres out.

He added a drop goal in the 12th minute but Clontarf responded four minutes later through the boot of Leinster prospect Noel Reid.

Steve Ford’s men stuck rigidly to their task in the second half, defending manfully as Clontarf tried to power their way over the try-line on a couple of occasions.

Ex-Dolphin players Sam Cronin and Barry O’Mahony could not exert as much influence as they wanted on their return to Musgrave Park.

Their former team-mate Keeshan was left celebrating at the finish as Dolphin stood firm to record just their second victory in six Division 1A matches.

Scorers: Dolphin: Pens: Barry Keeshan 2; Drop: Barry Keeshan

Clontarf: Pen: Noel Reid

HT: Dolphin 9 Clontarf 3