Victory in Murrayfield proved Connacht will keep pushing to season’s end, writes John O’Sullivan…
Green is forever a colour associated with growth, green is also the predominant colour of Connacht and even a blind man could acknowledge the steady growth of Connacht over the last three or so seasons. Friday evening’s 32-24 victory away to Edinburgh was Connacht’s fourth victory in five games and could be a pivotal result as the Westerners seek a best ever league finish.
Such was the regularity of Rhys Thomas (in his maiden Rabo Direct Game as referee) blowing his whistle, one could rightly assume that he may have suffered a repetitive strain injury from lifting his whistle to his lips. Speaking of medicine, the dexterity shown by the respective kickers, Greig Laidlaw and Dan Parks, was that of top ranking surgeons. Indeed, all of Edinburgh’s twenty four points came from the boot of Greig Laidlaw. Many people have suggested that Laidlaw could be an outside bet for a place on The British and Irish Lions tour-and should he continue his fine form between now and the end of the season, the twenty seven year old, who can cover both of the half backs positions’, could secure a ticket to Australia.
It was another Scottish kicker, though, that proved to be the difference between the two teams, that man, of course, was Dan Parks. The Australian born playmaker was signed specifically to convert Connacht’s pressure into points and thus win games and, in that regard, the signing of Parks can be considered a resounding success.
Parks added 19 of Connacht’s 34 points, including four penalties, a drop goal and converting Mick Kearney’s and Robbie Henshaw’s tries. It’s hard to recall a player who slots drop goals with the regularity of Parks, with six to his credit this season, the former Scotland international shows unwavering confidence and is perhaps only matched in the drop kicking stakes by Ronan O’Gara, which is high praise indeed.
He did have blemishes on his night’s work, though; the 34-year-old was sent to the naughty stool for intentionally knocking on an Edinburgh pass when the Scots’ were in a dangerous position. In his absence, Gavin Duffy, placed on the wing to accommodate Robbie Henshaw, assumed kicking duties and was successful with his only effort. The former Harlequin showed all of his GAA background with an impressive kick. Incoming coach Pat Lam is sure to be delighted that, in emergency, he can rely on Duffy to take place kicks.
Two of Connacht’s tyros, Mick Kearney and Robbie Henshaw, also got their maiden tries. Kearney’s in particular was wonderfully conducted. One would have expected Kearney to score the scrappy try and Henshaw the sublime, but the opposite was the truth: Henshaw’s late try came after the former Marist College Full Back dived low through a sea of Edinburgh bodies to touch down.
Dan Parks wasn’t the only Connacht player to face the ignominy of being sin binned, Galway born prop Ronan Loughney was also shown yellow after an accumulation of Connacht offences.
The final whistle blew to the loud cheers of the large Connacht contingent in Murrayfield. As the Fields of Athenry bellowed around the home of Scottish rugby, the Connacht players celebrated another away victory in what could yet prove to be the provinces best ever league finish.
Away from the field, Connacht continued the development of their squad for next season, with the signing of Garryowen and Munster hooker James Rael. The ball carrying number two, who has nine caps for the Irish U20’s, including an appearance in the U20 World Cup, has signed a one year development contract with the Sportsground side. Rael will be hoping to emulate Sean Cronin who, in 2008, joined Connacht from Munster and improved his game to the extent that he earned he earned full Irish honours and eventually secured a move to European champions Leinster. The similarities don’t end there, though, Rael, like Cronin, is a pacey hooker with a penchant for lung busting runs and scoring tries. With Adrian Flavin retiring, Connacht will be pleased with the signing of Rael. Rael is the latest in a long line of former AIL players who have signed for Connacht in the last two seasons, joining the likes of Craig Ronaldson, Mata Fifta, Matt Healy, JP Cooney and Brian Murphy. Connacht deserve kudos for giving AIL players an opportunity in the fully professional game. Rugby is littered with players who have failed to make the grade at their first club and subsequently moved on and enhanced their reputation’s, James Rael will hope to be the latest in a long line of players that includes James Downey, Dave McSharry and Felix Jones.
Friday night see’s the visit of Ulster to the Sportsground. Our Northern neighbours, with aspirations of a home semi final, have named a strong squad, which see’s world cup winner John Afoa and totemic Johan Muller return to action. Form books go out the window in inter provincial games, but Connacht will be hard pressed to beat an Ulster team with an incentive of a home semi final.
I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC as well as admin for the Rugby Banter Facebook page. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.
