Dolphin Dig Deep To Record Much-Needed Win

League veteran Barry Keeshan drove Dolphin to their maiden win of the season as they saw off Galwegians’ fading challenge on a 27-18 scoreline in Cork.

Barry Keeshan smacked over five sure-footed penalties and a single conversion for a 17-point personal tally, with David Corkery's men also crossing for two tries through forwards Dave O'Mahony and Karl Keogh.

Dolphin's starting line-up was bolstered by the half-back pairing of assistant coach Keeshan and Killian O'Keeffe and the presence of Munster Academy prop Brian Scott and development lock John Madigan up front.

Galwegians were missing the skill and direction of captain Brian Murphy behind the scrum, but welcomed back Ja Naughton at loosehead prop and Connacht Academy back rower Marc Kelly at number 8.

With the wind behind him, Keeshan kicked the Corkmen into a 9-0 lead by the start of the second quarter, his 40-metre opener being followed by two more kicks in the 14th and 21st minutes.

However, almost straight from the restart, Galwegians' Alan McMahon cut through for an opportunist try in the left corner. An equally eye-catching score from fellow winger Adam Leavy, converted by Mitch Lam who also tagged on a penalty, had the westerners leading 15-9 at half-time.

While the 'Wegians back-line continued to threaten, the Dolphin pack was performing really well and they were rewarded with a try from lock O'Mahony, quickly followed by a Lam penalty at the other end.

But 18-14 is as good as it got for the inconsistent westerners as Dolphin broke their winning duck with a run of 13 unanswered points in the final quarter. After Lam missed a penalty, solid flanker Keogh struck for Dolphin's second touchdown – and his first league score for the club.

Keeshan converted and stamped his authority on the closing stages with two more penalties, the second of them just before the final whistle. That took the losing bonus point from 'Wegians whose loose play was ruthlessly punished by the hosts. Dolphin have now moved above Shannon at the foot of the table.

A minute's silence was impeccably observed beforehand to mark the passing of Dolphin club legend and 1948 Grand Slam hero Bertie O'Hanlon, who died at the age of 91 last week.

Referee: Jonny Erskine (IRFU)