Determined Dolphin punish ‘Wegians errors

Date Published: 01-Dec-2009

GALWEGIANS’ quest for Cup glory ended for another year when they were outgunned by a powerful Dolphin side in Sunday’s rescheduled AIB Cup quarter-final at Musgrave Park, which had been put back by a week because of the inclement weather.

Wegians came into this game in confident mood, having impressed in their recent home victory against Division 1b leaders Old Belvedere. But although playing with the advantage of a first-half breeze, they never really hit their stride and made too many errors against the Cork outfit who have been in impressive form in Division 1a.

The Blues suffered a blow when they lost winger Mark Butler to a shoulder injury, and they went behind just before the half-hour mark when the hosts opened the scoring.

It came after the Blues failed to find touch, and Dolphin centre Eric Maloney went on a charging run which ended with Munster and Kiwi back-rower Nick Williams sending his back-row colleague Barry O’Mahony over for a try. Dolphin’s prolific out-half Barry Keeshan landed the conversion.

Just before half-time Wegians opened their account through a penalty from centre Dave Clarke to reduce arrears to 7-3.

However, any hopes that Wegians had of this being a springboard were soon dashed,as the game was effectively settled within minutes of the restart. First Keeshan cancelled out Clarke’s score with a penalty of his own, and on 47 minutes the Leesiders struck a decisive blow with their second try.

Winger Paul Hurley started the attack making ground inside the Wegians 22, and the influential Williams continued the move, combining with O’Mahony to send in right winger Niall O’Driscoll to dot down. Keeshan landed another conversion to stretch the advantage to 17-3 and put the home side firmly in command.

But Wegians refused to throw in the towel, and they went on to dominate much of the remainder of the game, camped deep in opposition territory for prolonged periods. They met a determined and disciplined Dolphin rearguard who were in no mood to concede points.

Wegians’ full-back Liam Bibo almost made the breakthrough before being called back for a forward pass and, with time running out, the Blues were finally rewarded when substitute prop Ronan Loughney crashed over under the posts for a try.

Clarke added the conversion to bring the visitors within a score at 17-10 and give themselves a lifeline. However any late Dolphin nerves were soon settled when they scored almost from the restart. This time it was Williams who finished off when he powered over from close range, and Keeshan’s conversion restored a 14-point advantage to make sure of victory.

And so it is the Cork side who progress to the semi-final where they will battle it out with Garryowen on December 19th. And although they will be disappointed with the outcome and some aspects of their performance, this outing against top-class opposition should stand Wegians in good stead, as they resume AIB League duty this Saturday away to Ballymena.