No brotherly love amongst Coughlans as Dolphin face Con

WHILE Munster’s clash with Leicester Tigers dominates headlines down south, two of the provinces most famous clubs are gearing up for an intriguing AIB League tussle at Musgrave Park tomorrow (2:30pm).

Sibling rivalry will be one the game’s main undercurrents when Munster development player James Coughlan (Dolphin) — on the bench against the Tigers today — faces brother Kevin, nominally a lock forward with Con, but who can operate in the back row.

Kevin played his rugby with Dolphin to the end of last season, but broke ties to join city rivals Con. However, there are still doubts hanging over the brothers’ availability. Dolphin are unsure whether James will be released by Munster and Con are hoping Kevin will recover from injury.

What will add more spice to this contest is the criss-crossing of players and coaches between both clubs down through the years: Dolphin coach David O’Mahony was playing for Con when he was first capped for Ireland against Italy in March 1995, while Con’s forward’s coach, Terry Kingston, was capped for Ireland (versus Wales 1987 World Cup) when playing in Dolphin colours.

The Dolphin half back pairing of Tomás O’Leary and Barry Keeshan both joined from Con at the start of the 2004/05 season while Ross Noonan, joined the Temple Hill outfit from UCC, but learned his rugby in Dolphin, playing with his father Gerry’s club up to U16 level.

Con are unbeaten in their past five league outings.

Dolphin have been regrouping since their last league outing on January 6th — a forgettable afternoon in Crowley Park when Galwegians over-ran them on a 45-15 score-line.

Con top Division One on 28 points with Dolphin 10 points back in 11th position.

Con appear to have the team of ‘All Stars’ — with the likes of Frank Cogan, Noonan, Brendan Cutriss, Merle O’Connell, Tom Glesson and Cronan Healy in their ranks, but Dolphin have evolved into a strong, cohesive outfit and remain on target for their intended mid table finish this season.

Dolphin have named their team, and O’Mahony will be praying that Munster stars Coughlan and O’Leary will be able to play all if not some part in what is one of the biggest derbies in Irish club rugby.

O’Mahony’s men will be led again by Beaufort native Rory McGrath, who, along with Keeshan, is named in the 49-man squad for the forthcoming AIB Club Internationals against the English Counties and against Scotland.

The clubs only met twice (1998 and 2003) in the AIB league’s 17 year history, with Con victorious on both occasions. Constitution, who lost their grip on the AIB Cup when being beaten last Saturday, edged Dolphin 11-9 on their most recent league visit to Musgrave Park in 2003. Tomorrow should be even closer.

Verdict: Dolphin win

DOLPHIN: G Conway; E Mills, P Owens, E Moloney, K Lynch; B Keeshan, T O’Leary; F Gately, K Murray, J O’ Sullivan; R McGrath (capt), D Harty; D Murphy, G Finn, J Coughlan.

Replacements: (from) S Heffernan, A O’ Driscoll, R McKinnie, D Pomeroy, A Daly, J Purcell, J O’Mahony, G O’Keeffe.

CORK CON (Probable): D Hurley; R Lane, T Gleeson, D Nethery, C Healy; D Lyons, P McKee; Tom Ryan, D Murray, Tim Ryan; M O’Connell, S O’Connor; R Noonan, B Cutriss, F Cogan (capt).