Munster number eight James Coughlan was amongst the scorers as newcomers Dolphin got off to a winning start on their return to AIB League Division One.

AIB LEAGUE: DIVISION ONE: Saturday, October 14

DOLPHIN 24 UCD 17, Musgrave Park

Scorers: Dolphin: Tries: Ed Mills, Eric Moloney, James Coughlan; Pens: Barry Keeshan 3

UCD: Tries: Sean O'Brien, Brian McGovern; Cons: Fergus McFadden 2; Pen: McFadden

Coughlan continued where he left off last season when he dotted down ten times as the home side's supporters were sent home happy.

The Cork outfit's out-half Barry Keeshan kicked two penalties but UCD led 10-6 at the interval thanks to a converted try from Ireland Under-21 Sean O'Brien and the kicking of winger Fergus McFadden.

College failed to make full use of a strong wind and paid the price in the second period as tries from Dolphin centre Eric Moloney and winger Ed Mills swamped a Brian McGovern score.

Dolphin avoided a poor start when from a UCD scrum, right close to the home side's line, prop John O'Sullivan managed to come away with the ball after it had squirted free. Seven minutes in, Keeshan booted his first penalty and tagged on his second on 20 minutes.

McFadden replied from 30 metres out, four minutes later, and teenage number eight O'Brien's try followed soon after when he snaffled ball from a lineout and powered over for McFadden to convert - UCD led 10-6 at that stage.

Having failed to see out a good chance before the break - Mills and Gary Conway were available on an overlap but the ball was knocked on when Keeshan flighted the ball over to them - Dolphin took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second period.

They scored after only three minutes when Mills danced in. He turned provider when offloading for Moloney to touch down on his league debut for the club, and Dolphin moved into a 16-10 lead.

Coughlan, after having a try ruled out for hitting the corner flag before he grounded the ball, made amends with an unconverted score soon after, and Dolphin seemingly wrapped up the win when Keeshan punished Kevin Croke for a late tackle with his third penalty of the afternoon.

UCD got back in bonus point territory in the fifth-minute of injury-time. With Dolphin centre Peter Owens in the sin-bin, the students pressed for a late try and deservedly got it as prop McGovern squeezed over for McFadden to convert and give the Dubliners something tangible for the long trip home.

Dolphin: G Conway; E Mills, P Owens, E Moloney, K Lynch; B Keeshan, G O'Keffee; S Heffernan, K Murray, J O'Sullivan, R McGrath, D Harty, G Finn, D Murphy, J Coughlan.

Subs used: F Gately for Heffernan, A O'Driscoll for Murray.

UCD: R McCarron; M Hickey-Crowe, M Hastings, K Lett, F McFadden; I Keatley, B O'Neill; B Hall, C Geoghegan, B McGovern, R Mandeno, C McInerney, K Croke, L Burke, S O'Brien.

Subs used: M Fanning for McCarron, A Houlihan for O'Brien, G Moran for Hall, G Telford for McInerney.

Referee: Simon McDowell (Ulster)