Match Report - Old Belvedere v. Dolphin on 26 February 2011
OLD BELVEDERE REMAIN ON TOP AFTER DRAWN MATCH
OLD BELVEDERE 16 DOLPHIN 16 – 26TH FEB 2011
In coming away from Anglesea Road on Saturday after the 16-16 draw with Dolphin, it was hard to decide if this result was a case of the cup being half full or half empty. For sure, we were denied victory through conceding a last minute penalty goal but on the other hand, there was the feeling that we were lucky to get a draw after a disjointed and unimpressive performance in which the team failed to impose itself on the game, missed a number try scoring opportunities and once again were on the wrong side of a penalty count of 6- 10. It was a frustrating day for players and supporters alike. In addition, there were a few decisions by referee Alain Rolland and his team of officials that were widely discussed in the bar afterwards – many in the ground felt that a goal by Dolphin’s Barry Keeshan in the 70th minute had in fact gone between the posts and some opined that the final penalty conversion by Conal Keane for Old Belvedere had not. In addition, there was a forward pass on the right wing in the movement that led up to that final penalty by Dolphin. All in all, probably a fair result and Garryowen did us a favour in drawing with Cork Constitution, thus ensuring no ground was lost in the chase for top spot in Division 1A.
There was a small amount of drizzle and a light swirling wind blowing diagonally from the Anglesea Road end and behind Old Belvedere as they made a bright enough start to the game. J. Kennedy created a chance on the left side on the 12th minute but his pass to Dave Mongan went into fresh air. Shortly afterwards, after a good line out catch, Dave Mongan was tacked into touch, following a fast passing movement going right. Finally, in the 17th minute, slick passing by Andy Dunne and Simon Keogh put Dave Riordan in for a good try in the left corner which was not converted. Belvo attacked strongly from the kick-off with Leo Auva’a being stopped on the line. The series of drives ended with an intercept by Dolphin which was finally stopped inside our half by Simon Keogh who received a yellow card for his trouble and Barry Keeshan slotted the resulting penalty in the 25th minute. Andy Dunne responded with a penalty in the 27th minute. Two minutes later, Dolphin ran down a very narrow channel on the right side through missed tackles, grubbered the ball through and Captain Barry Keeshan was on the spot to gather the kick and score a try in the corner which he converted superbly to take Dolphin into a 10-8 lead.
There was a period of loose play and missed passes by Belvo in the ten minute period before half-time before an excellent drive through by Jason Risdon resulted in a turnover and ended with Dave Mongan being put in for another unconverted try almost on the half-time whistle for a 13-10 lead to Old Belvedere.
The 2nd half was very much a war of attrition as Dolphin sought at all times to keep the ball tight and make progress through several series of rucks and mauls. Old Belvedere allowed themselves to get dragged into this contest in which each side neutralised the other. On occasions when Belvo sought to move the ball through the backs, the passing was sluggish with several passes failing to connect. Two try scoring opportunities were missed where players opted to go for the line themselves instead of passing to a better placed colleague outside. Several attacking phases were terminated by losing the ball forward or being turned over. Barry Keeshan kicked an equalising penalty after 14 minutes. Five minutes later, Dolphin flanker John Quill was yellow carded. A good break by Simon Keogh put Ben Woods into a good position but the ball was lost forward. Shortly after, possession was lost under the Dolphin posts. Then, the two great try scoring opportunities were missed by failing to make the final pass. Conal Keane came on for Andy Dunne 22 minutes into the 2nd half, then Dean Moore for Alan Trennier. Leo made a good tackle in mid-field and Belvo won a penalty for not releasing. The penalty was put into the corner but frustration ensued as we lost the resulting lineout. Belvo had a let off with 8 minutes to go when Keeshan had his only missed penalty kick of the afternoon. Almost immediately, his attempted goal was adjudged wide. Two minutes later, he tried to run a ball that should have been kicked and was isolated in a tackle which resulted in Conal Keane kicking the penalty which gave Old Belvedere a 16-13 lead. The restart did not go 10 metres which should have put Belvo in the driving seat to run down the clock. However, Dolphin were allowed to surge up the right wing and move the ball into a centre position where a final penalty was conceded and converted by Keeshan to claim the draw.
This was the third home game in which we have struggled to gain ascendancy and the flair and confidence that was evident in the run up to Christmas seems to have evaporated. We must ask why this is so as the team selection is the same with the notable absence of Richie Leyden. Grounds are heavier now and the forward struggles have got harder. We have a very fine back line which can match the best in the country. The time for self-belief and leadership has come. It will be needed in the final games against Garryowen (away), and at home to St. Marys whose place in the top three is now under threat from Young Munster and their final two games are against Cork Constitution and Old Belvedere. Believe in yourselves, guys and let’s go for it!
Team:
Danny Riordan, Eddie Devitt, John Kennedy, Ben Woods, Andy Dunne(Conal Keane), Simon Keogh, Vinny Soden (Kevin Buckley), Mark Cooney( David Gilchrist), Stewart Maguire, Eric Jackman, Alan Trennier(Dean Moore), Robib O’Sullivan, Jason Risdon, Leo Auva’a.
Posted on 28 February 2011.
Share on Facebook
« BACK TO NEWS