So near and yet so far for Connacht

A losing bonus could have been more but there were plenty of positives, writes John O’Sullivan…

Connacht came a couple of feet away from claiming yet another European scalp at the Sportsground on Friday last, but, unfortunately, their maiden Heineken Cup campaign under Pat Lam started with a 23-17 defeat to English side Saracens.

Saracens, who have been transformed tactically over the close season since the departure of South African Brendan Venter, laid the foundations of their victory early with a two try salvo in the opening twenty minutes.

Indeed, after just five minutes, American centre Chris Wyles sauntered under the posts after a well orchestrated team move from the Londoners. Wyles incisive line of running exploited a gaping hole in the Connacht defence and that will have no doubt irked Pat Lam and his backroom staff. Owen Farrell, as he invariably does, slotted the extra’s for 7-0 to the visitors. An already arduous task for the Westerners had just become significantly more difficult.

Wyles try elicited a response from Connacht and soon after Dan Parks had reduced the deficit to four points with a measured and successful penalty.

However, soon after Connacht’s resurgence was crushed by a try from unpopular English winger Chris Ashton. Immense credit is due to former Ulster player Mark McCall who, since the aforementioned departure of the media friendly Venter, has morphed Saracens from a conservative set piece dependant team into a fluid, ball in hand running team; and Ashton’s try came after one such bright move.

Both Vunipola brothers, Billy and Mako, were involved heavily in the try, as their carries made significant yards inside Connacht territory before quick ball released Schalk Britz who’s pass gave Ashton a cake walk over the line for the Sarries second try, which Owen Farrell converted for a 14-3 lead. Even from a Connacht fan, the variety in play for Ashton’s try was a joy to behold.

In what proved to be a hectic opening seventeen minutes, Connacht soon had a try of their own. Dan Parks launched one of his trademark Garryowens which South African Danie Poolman competed in the air for. However, Poolman missed the ball, which seemed to cause panic in a unusually hesitant Saracens defence and the ball bounced into the path of scrum half Kieran Marmion who didn’t need a second invitation to run at the Londoners defence.

Marmion eased past Billy Vunipola and into a massive chasm of space in the Sarries rearguard for a wonderful virtuoso try. I have been banging the Marmion for Ireland drum for a long time, and hopefully Friday’s performance will see the Welsh born scrum half move closer to Irish senior selection.

Parks added the conversion to slice the score to 14-10 in favour of Saracens. However, in a manual of what not to do next after scoring a try, Connacht were guilty of the cardinal sin of soon conceding a penalty and breaking their momentum. Unsurprisingly, Owen Farrell slotted the resultant kick for a 17-10 lead.

In what proved to be one of the most high octane games seen at the Sportsground for many years, Connacht soon equalized via a Danie Poolman try. Once again, the impressive Marmion was involved heavily. The scrum halves pass found the South African Poolman who’s step left the Sarries defence in disarray and saw him canter in for the game levelling try. Dan Parks, once again, scored the conversion.

All of this, after just thirty minutes. The physical exertion by Connacht in the opening half caught up with them in the second half and soon forced errors in concentration. Owen Farrell twice punished such errors with two successful penalties, taking the score to 23-17.

In one last roll of the dice, Connacht, through Tiernan O’Halloran came close to scoring. However, with his drained team mates lagging behind and unable to reach the ruck quick enough to clean it out, the Clifden man was left isolated and was pinged for not releasing and the game was sealed for Saracens.

Even in the wreckage of defeat, Connacht can be pleased with their performance, particularly those of their younger players. Kieran Marmion, Jake Heenan, Robbie Henshaw and Danie Poolman all played excellently and, should Connacht retain these players, the future is bright out west.

John O’Sullivan (@JohnOSullivan91) part time student, full time sports nut. I 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.

Plan B required for Connacht

Less pretty and more pragmatic should be the way ahead for Pat Lam & Connacht, says John O’Sullivan…

In many ways, there are parallels between Pat Lams first few months in charge of Connacht and Rob Penney’s first season in charge of their Southern rivals, Munster.

Both coaches, coming from success at the lower levels of New Zealand Rugby, immediately tried to implement their own fluid system of play on their players. However, in retrospect, it appears that a more pragmatic approach initially before developing a more expansive game plan would have suited both sides, particularly Connacht.

Penney appears to have liberated his players from their tactical shackles this season and has instilled a more varied approach to Munsters’ game and their improvement in form relative to last season is no coincidence.

Indeed, Lam, who had a mixed bag of a stint in charge of the Auckland Blues, is best known for his work with Auckland the ITM Cup province and his development of younger players, which was probably the main reason Connacht pomped for the New Zealand born former backrow ahead of some esteemed competitors.

Whilst playing attractive, brave Rugby is aesthetically pleasing it is foolhardy to expect Connacht, with their paucity of resources and firepower compared to the League’s other teams, to play a high octane incisive passing game. To be frank, and I take no pleasure in saying this, Connacht simply do not have the players to implement this style, at least not yet.

What is also concerning, and it was clear to see during the Connacht’s capitulation away to Treviso on Friday last, was a lack of plan B. Despite the fact their game plan wasn’t working, the visitors never deviated from it and stuck to their guns, which, eventually, was their undoing.

To be fair to Connacht, though, their preparations weren’t helped by the late loss of Eoin Griffin to injury, in his stead came former Galwegian Brian Murphy. Also, to add to the walking wounded, Ronan Loughney and his replacement, Nathan White, picked up injuries. On his first appearance of the season, scrumhalf Paul O’Donoghue was sin binned after seven minutes for being unable to resist the temptation of sticking his hands in the ruck.

To add salt to O’Donoghue’s wound, Italian fly half Alberto Di Bernardo slotted the resulting penalty over the bar to give Treviso a 3-0 lead. However, soon afterwards, Da Parks had the opportunity to level the scores, but shanked his penalty to the right and wide.

Connacht continued to test the patience of the referee, Neil Hennessy, and Di Bernardo continued to kick the awarded penalties, leaving the score at 9-0 to Treviso at the break.

Time after time, Connacht attempted to run the ball from their own 22, which, apart from one Fionn Carr salvo, who else, resulted in Dan Parks slotting a penalty to reduce the deficit to 9-3

However, run that moment on every Connacht attacking attempt came to the same disheartening result: being gobbled up by the Italian defence.

Despite Treviso being a man in arrears, they added two more tries, through Zanni and Morisi, to compound Connacht’s misery.

The final whistle blew with the hosts claiming a deserved 23-3 victory.

Whilst Lam’s attacking style may be easy on the eye, a more pragmatic style will be needed as the season continues.

John O’Sullivan (@JohnOSullivan91) part time student, full time sports nut. I 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.

No need for Connacht to feel the blues

Connacht have every reason to feel positive about Saturday’s visit of the Ulstermen, writes John O’Sullivan…

Connacht entered Friday night’s game away to Cardiff knowing that their early progress under Pat Lam would be gauged by their result against a team they finished on identical points to last season, and whom they beat on the road.

But, going by the result alone, a 21-10 victory for the Welsh side, is skewed, given Connacht’s superiority, the difficult conditions and a clear bias towards the home side from the match official.

Okay, Connacht were far from their best, knocking on copious amounts of ball and making several sloppy errors, but the sheer number of penalties awarded to Cardiff was mind boggling. It’s an unwritten rule in rugby that the attacking team should always get the benefit of the doubt from referees, but time after time after time Connacht’s attacking bravado was punished by the referee. True, referees are only human and they are vitally important to the game, but, as we saw with Romain Poite at the weekend, games can hinge on their decisions, and Friday evening’s game certainly did.

Cardiff are a strange team. In terms of talent, they are a sight better than their ninth placed finish last season, but there seems to be a collective apathy amongst their players and a very poor chemistry and cohesion in their play.

The surface at Arms Park, a new 4G surface, was saturated with rain and, inevitably, put free flowing rugby at a premium. Connacht, nonetheless, were undeterred and started the game with a bloodthirsty gusto. Dan Parks, who wasn’t at his best, in terms of kicking, last time out against Zebre had another abject day with the boot, relative to his high standards.

Indeed, a strange sequence of play saw Parks presented with the chance to give Connacht an early lead through a penalty, but he missed. Parks’ kick off went straight into touch, but Connacht, with kudos going to the props, White and Wilkinson, forced a penalty against the head at the ensuing scrum. When presented with the opportunity of a three point lead, the former Scotland international missed; but it wasn’t to be long before Connacht got on the scoreboard and gave Parks another chance with the boot.

Much of the pre match talk centred around the return to the Cardiff team of Lions winger Alex Cuthbert, but, in terms of wingers, the show was stolen by a lesser known name in the rugby world: Matt Healy.

With each passing performance, the fact that Healy has had to wait until his twenty fourth year to be rewarded with a professional contract seems more and more mystifying. Surely someone in his native Leinster could have identified his obvious talent and taken a punt on him. Still, on this occasion, Leinster’s loss is Connacht’s game. I grimace when I think of what the former Lansdowne man was doing to AIL defences a mere season ago.

Kieran Marmion, a livewire all evening with his sniping and incisive passing, spotted a gap in the Blues’ rear-guard and offloaded to Healy, who’s clever angle of running saw him slide in under the posts unopposed for the game’s opening try, after twelve minutes. Parks made amends for his earlier mistake for the boot and slotted the resultant conversion to take the score to 7-0 to the visitors from the West of Ireland.

Connacht’s try elicited a come back from the hosts, and, though, he missed two of his penalty attempts, fly half Rhys Patchell began to erode Connacht’s lead with successive penalties. With the scent of the lead in their nostrils, the Blues began to press and were eventually rewarded, not by a try, but by a Patchell drop goal, giving the Arms Park side a slender 9-7 lead. However, not to be outdone by his opposite number, Parks kicked another penalty to give Connacht the slenderest of leads at half time, 10-9.

The men in green, given their ascendancy, would have been slightly irked to be only leading by a solitary point at the interval. In many ways, it was a vintage Connacht attacking performance. Plenty of blood and thunder, but not the requisite guile to unlock the oppositions defence.

Cardiff, to their credit, began the second half brightly but they still could not find the way to the whitewash, finding a stubborn Connacht defence insurmountable. Instead, aided by both the referee and the boot of Patchell Cardiff began to kick their way into the lead, the fly half kicking four second half penalties to give the Welsh side a scantly deserved 21-10 victory.

Despite the loss, there were a lot of positive for the Westerners. Firstly, Robbie Henshaw looked a constant menace in his return to his school boy position of outside centre. It’s indicative of how highly he is rated at the Sportsground that I’m suggesting he could one day become the Irish number thirteen. Another locally produced talent, John Muldoon, excelled on his 200th appearance for the province, carrying ball and, as ever, looking extremely industrious. And to cap a good night for the Connacht academy, Kieran Marmion played with the nous of a player ten years his senior. It’s not beyond the Welsh born scrum half to become Conor Murray’s back up for Ireland, considering both Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss are getting on in years.

Connacht will dust themselves off and look forward to their next game, the visit of interprovincial rivals Ulster to the Sportsground.

Will Ulster have a backlash after losing their first two fixtures of the season or will Connacht extend the Northerners barren run? Either could happen in what is sure to be, like last season’s encounter in Galway, a cracking game.

John O’Sullivan (@JohnOSullivan91) part time student, full time sports nut. I 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.

Winning start for Lam

It was a welcome win for Pat Lam’s competitive début but there will have to be improvement, writes John O’Sullivan…

One of the oldest sporting clichés preaches that the sign of a good team is when they can win despite being well under par and having to deal with being under significant scrutiny from the opposition.

Now, Connacht are far from the finished article, but the fact that the Westerners got their season off to a three try winning start, playing well within themselves is sure to have brought a wry smile to Sportsground clubs supporters, myself included.

Whilst there has been so much flux at Connacht over the past season; new coaches, players, kits etc, one facet has stood the test of time and remained the same: Fionn Carr scoring tries for Connacht. Sport can sometimes defy logic and seldom makes than any sense. Carr, who swapped Connacht for his native Leinster in 2011, returned to the West reinvigorated and with a point to prove after his less than fruitful period in the nation’s capital. It’s inexplicable how the Kildare man didn’t flourish amidst all the attacking talent and front foot ball at Leinster. Alas, that is sport, but the early indication is that Carr will pick up where he left off at Connacht.

Another former Leinster player, Nathan White, opened the try scoring for Ireland. A good scrummager and effective in the loose, the Kiwi, who will become eligible for the Irish national team before the 2015 World Cup, and should be seen as a solid back up for Mike Ross. Admittedly, White isn’t in the same league as the former Harlequin tighthead, but he offers contrasting attributes and, in my opinion, would be a strong option off the Irish bench, given the paucity of tighthead props currently in the country.

The thirty two year old showed all the attacking nous and acumen of an outside back as he intercepted a haywire Zebre lineout and sprinted twenty metres and over the whitewash for the game’s opening try.

It’s seldom I have had to write this in my time covering Connacht, but Scottish fly half Dan Parks missed the resultant conversion, leaving the scores at 5-3. Almost instantaneously, Zebre, via Luciano Orquera’s penalty, got on the scoreboard after Connacht were found guilty of not rolling away.

Parks may sometimes be labelled as a one trick pony. Many regard Parks as a Garryowen merchant who’s link up play with the rest of his back is substandard. However, regular Connacht watchers will assure you that the Australian born fly half is indeed an intelligent passer and orchestrator of his outside backs. Parks incisive play was highlighted in Connacht’s next try, scored by Matt Healy.

Connacht have been commended for giving players from the AIL a chance in the fully professional game and, in former Lansdowne wide man Healy, they may have unearthed another star. Last season, one of Connacht’s most consistent players was former Galwegian Brian Murphy. The Sportsground faithful will hope that Healy and, indeed, other former AIL players Craig Ronaldson and JP Cooney Connacht careers have a similar trajectory to that of Murphy’s.

Healy, via a combination of Dan Parks and Fionn Carr, was fed the ball beautifully on the wing, stood up his opposite number and showed wonderful pace by touching down in the corner. Parks’, after missing his two previous kicks, made absolutely no mistake from the conversion, taking the score to 12-3 to the hosts.

Parks had another opportunity to extend Connacht’s lead soon after, and he duly punished Zebre’s indiscipline with a measured penalty. The half time whistle sounded with the score 15-3 to the men in green.

The Italians started to gain the ascendancy in terms of territory and possession in the second half, with Luciano Orquera converting their pressure into two penalties, bringing Zebre to within six points of Connacht, 15-9. Sensing a potential upset, Zebre stepped their efforts up a notch, but, in doing so, threw caution to the wind in terms of discipline. Parks broke the visitor’s positive momentum with an accurately taken penalty to bring the score to 18-9.

Impressive throughout, Zebre had to resort to illegality to stop Robbie Henshaw. The youngster was foot tripped by Matteo Praticetti who received a sin binning for his troubles. A man in arrears, gaps were starting to appear in the Parma based sides defence and, through the proverbial son Fionn Carr, Connacht exploited them mercilessly. Fresh off the bench, scrum half Paul O’Donoghue’s incisive ran caused significant stress in Zebre’s defence. The former Clontarf man got his head up and his pass was met in perfect time by the returning Carr who, as he invariably does whilst wearing the green of Connacht, burned the outside cover and touched down for the game sealing try. Parks kick was good, taking the score to 25-9, with six minutes remaining the chance of a bonus point victory were eminent.

Credit to Zebre, though, they never gave in and not only did they deny Connacht a bonus point try, they scored a try of their own. Replacement hooker Andrea Manici broke through for a consolation try. The game finished 25-9 to the hosts in Pat Lams first game at the helm. Lam, however, warned that whilst he was happy with the victory that Connacht will need to improve for next week’s trip away to the Cardiff Blues.

John O’Sullivan (@JohnOSullivan91) part time student, full time sports nut. I 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.

Rugby's Ryder Cup

Throughout the season John O’Sullivan kept us up to date with Connacht’s progress, now he turns his attention to the Lions…

In sporting terms, the only parallel close to the Lions is the Ryder Cup.

The mix and match of players from a variety of countries is absolutely fascinating and a privilege to watch. Players from four of the world’s premier rugby nations selected to fulfil one common goal epitomises what is beautiful about rugby: fraternity and camaraderie. Players can go from looking to decapitate each other in their international clashes, to being willing to die for another when they don the famous red jersey, as the Lions’ fly on the wall documentaries suggested. The Lions role in relations between the respective nations should not be underestimated.

One of the phenomena of the contemporary world is online fantasy management games, be it NFL and MLB in America or English Premier League soccer/football in Britain and Ireland. English readers, see how accommodating I am by describing it as both soccer and football because I know calling it soccer irks a lot of you greatly. Digression over. Back to my main point: for all intents and purposes, the Lions are a real life fantasy team, managed not by you, but by Warren Gatland and co., who, despite our infinite pool of rugby knowledge with a few pints on us, is a better rugby mind than the vast majority of us.

It is so exciting and spellbinding to see, every four years, the most talented players, bar a few exceptions due to injury etc (Stephen Ferris methinks) from Britain and Ireland combine to take on the mega powers of any one of the three of the Southern Hemisphere triumvirate of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. That is, essentially, the attraction of the Lions, seeing how a group of players, in an extremely uncompromising time frame, fare against the powers of world rugby. It really is a race against time.

Even before the squad announcement, fans from each of the four nations had added their two cents in term of the Lions starting XV, and I am no different.

Back Row:

Here lies the greatest selection headache for the Lions staff. It wouldn’t be considered crazy to describe the Lions backrow options as an embarrassment of riches, such is the atlantic-esque deepness of the Lions options here. After much musing, my Lions back row is as follows:

8: Jamie Heaslip. Considering how poor his Six Nations was, this may surprise many, but Heaslip proved in Leinster’s recent domestic and European finals and semi-finals how capable he is in big games. In order to shoe horn the brilliant duo of Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris into the Irish back row, neither a natural openside, Heaslip had to assume more of the defensive groundhog work that a natural openside would invariably do, thus diminishing his prevalence in attack. Number eights are often pigeon holed as nothing more than ball carrier, but that assumption is fallacy. A top class number eight should have ball carrying, linking and defensive capabilities by the bucket load and Heaslip certainly does. With Sam Warburton, a natural openside who will assume much of the responsibility at the breakdown, Heaslip has an insurance policy which will liberate him from much of the defensive work he’s been burdened with for Ireland for the last few seasons and will allow him to show his 2009/2010 best.

7: Sam Warburton. The Cardiff Blues openside is regarded, along with Richie McCaw and David Pocock, as one of the world’s foremost openside flankers or fetchers, as they’re also known. Warburton’s breakdown acumen will liberate Jamie Heaslip and Tom Croft, my other backrow selection, from much of the dirty work at the breakdown, thus making the Lions backrow a far more potent attacking threat. Underrated in terms of ball carrying and a player who offers a solid line out jumping option, the greatest compliment I can pay Warburton is I wish he was Irish.

6: Tom Croft. The most athletic and inform back row in the Lions squad. The Leicester Tigers man just edges out Leinster and Ireland’s Sean O’Brien for the number six jersey. Pacey, strong, with a good positional awareness, Croft is the consummate number six. Let’s not forget his prevalence at line out time, where he uses his massive height extremely effectively. Croft showed his class with several barnstorming displays in the last Lions tour, and I expect a similar impact this time around.

Second Row:

4: Richie Gray. The perfect blend of ball carrying and line out nous for a lock, Gray should prove the perfect foil to Paul O’Connell in the Lions engine room. Standing ridiculously tall at 6’10, Gray is clearly a key go to man in the Lions line out. Also, as evidenced by his famous swashbuckling try in the Aviva stadium, Gray is a prodigious ball carrier.

5: Paul O’Connell. The leadership that the Munster stalwart brings to a side can’t be quantified. He may not be the captain, but due to his constant vocal support and follow by example leadership style, O’Connell is crucial to any potential Lions series victory. I would stick my neck out and say he would grace any team in world rugby. Totemically tall, O’Connell is a wonderful line out target and the Limerick man wreaks havoc to the opposition line out, where he more than seldom pilfers their throws. Unanimous selection amongst all fans and pundits.

Front Row:

3: Adam Jones. If the Lions are going to secure ball and solid attacking platforms for their talented outside backs and back rows, then Adam Jones’ anchoring of the scrum is the foundation on which any Lions victory will be built. Simply put, he is that important. On paper, at least, he and Cian Healy should gain the scrummagging ascendancy over their Australian counterparts.

2: Rory Best. Will surprise many, but I feel Best, despite his late selection for the squad, is the most rounded hooker in the touring party. A supreme scrummager and a solid ball carrier, Best, despite a few darts going awry during the Six Nations, is also a fine line out thrower.

1: Cian Healy. His Twitter Bio reads something along the lines of “prop dreaming of being a centre” and that should paint an accurate picture of Healy’s main attribute: his herculean ball carrying ability. Alongside Tony Woodcock, Healy is the world’s foremost ball carrying prop and, under the tutelage of scrum guru Greg Feek, his once erratic scrummaging has come on leaps and bounds. A certain starter.

Back Three: Leigh Halfpenny: There’s not much the Welshman can’t do. Despite his relatively small height, the Cardiff Blues full back fields the ball excellently and is strong defensively. The feathers in Halfpenny’s cap, though, are his counter running and goal kicking prowess. Whether it be he or Jonathan Sexton taking place kicks is irrelevant, both are excellent kickers and the Lions are in rude health in that regard. After his extremely impressive Six Nations campaign, he has the full back jersey locked down. Importantly, Halfpenny can also play as an auxiliary winger.

14: Tommy Bowe. Despite only returning from injury, the former Osprey and current Ulster winger has to, in my estimation, start. He is far more capable defensively than his main rival for the spot, Alex Cuthbert. A former Gaelic Footballer, Bowe’s kicking and fielding are superior to Cuthbert’s. Bowe is rapidly quick and also uses his ball fielding ability very well as a target for Garryowen’s.

11: George North. The soon to be Northampton Saint is perhaps the closest Northern Hemisphere parallel to Jonah Lomu, which is, obviously, high praise indeed. Devastatingly quick and strong, North invariably breaks the gainline and uses his massive frame brilliantly as a first receiver off set pieces. Imperative he starts.

Centres:

12/13: Roberts and O’Driscoll. Toyed with the idea of playing Manu Tuilagi at twelve, but, due to his almost telepathic understanding with O’Driscoll, which was honed on the last Lions tour, I opted for Wales’ Jamie Roberts. The duo dovetailed beautifully in South Africa in 2009, and are the ultimate match of brain and brawn. Is baited for not scoring enough tries, but Roberts is an excellent defender and uses his huge frame like a proverbial battering ram. Cerebrally, O’Driscoll is the best centre in the world. Offensively and defensively, the four time Lions tourist, invariably makes the right decision and the prospect of him picking line off Jamie Roberts’ big carries is a mouth-watering prospect.

Half Backs:

9: Mike Phillips. Phillips is the chance offspring of a tank and a ballerina, such is his variety of skills. His strength at the fringes of rucks means he’s almost another back row and his distribution is up there with any of the world’s finest scrum halves. Phillips ball carrying competence is often underrated, but, as an Irishman, I can vouch that he is indeed a very good ball carrier.

10: Jonathan Sexton. Second only to Dan Carter in the pantheon of world fly halves. Name a style of game and Sexton can play it. He is more than capable of playing a more conservative kicking for territory game and, as defences the length and breadth of Europe will testify for, a more expansive running game. Sexton is a tremendous ball carrier, with a particular penchant for his almost trademarked wrap around move. They say variety is the spice of life and the multitude of option that Sexton offers could add the spiciest of flavours to Warren Gatland’s Lions recipe.

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.

Galway, Glasgow & Goodbyes

The rugby action played second fiddle for the home crowd as they say goodbye to some legends, writes John O’Sullivan

It was a night of good byes at the Sportsground as Connacht bid farewell to several stalwarts and also, crucial to the result, their good record of late. Indeed, club legend Eric Elwood, after giving twenty four years of his life to the province as both a player and coach, took charge of his last game as head coach of Connacht. Club legends Mike McCarthy, Adrian Flavin and Johnny O’Connor also played their last games for the province before moving club and retiring respectively.

Seldom do sports games live up to the fairy tale billing they’re previewed with, and Friday evening’s clash with Gregor Townsend’s surprise package Glasgow proved this. In an ideal world, Connacht would have won a barnstorming game thanks to a last gasp Johnny O’Connor try, but, due to the excellence of Glasgow, nothing close to that materialised.

The wind battered Sportsground negated any chance of a flowing encounter. Instead, each team focused on using their burly packs, with Glasgow, quite clearly, gaining the ascendancy here. The hosts’ were extremely underwhelming, with Johnny O’Connor’s virtuoso performance and the solidity of late addition to the team Tiernan O’Halloran’s were the only bright sports in an otherwise turgid performance.

With their two Lions, Sean Maitland and Stuart Hogg, in reserve, Glasgow coped admirably with the adverse conditions and their fired up opposition and showed exactly why they’ve had such a good season this season. Gregor Townsend was maligned whilst he was Scotland’s attack coach for his team being too predictable and conservative. However, the opposite is true of his Glasgow team, with their off-loading game, in particular, despite the weather conditions, extremely impressive.

Bar a few excursions, particularly from Johnny O’Connor, Connacht were quiet during the first half, ceding both possession and territory to the visitors. It was no surprise when the Canadian DTH Van Der Merwe’s crossing brought him to one try away from the league’s leading scorer Tim Visser and tied him in second place in the try scoring stakes with Andrew Trimble.

The vicious Atlantic wind made place kicking extremely difficult and the one penalty that Dan Parks did manage to convert was almost skewed wide by the elements. Glasgow replied with a magnificent drop goal from fly half Ruaridh Jackson.

The half time whistle blew with the Warriors leading by 10-3. A scoreline that, truthfully, flattered Connacht.

Glasgow flexed their considerable muscle in the second half, introducing there Lions’ duo of Hogg and Maitland as well the extremely impressive Fijian scrum half Nikola Matawalu. Warren Gatland championed Stuart Hoggs cause an auxiliary fly half and that’s where he plied his trade when introduced. He also assumed the kicking duties and was successful with both of his attempts, a penalty and a conversion. Hogg can thank his Lions and Scotland team mate Sean Maitland for the opportunity to practice his place kicking, as the New Zealand born winger scored a wonderful solo try to take the game away from Connacht.

It was a largely forgetful game, but no one will ever forget the contributions of McCarthy, Flavin, O’Connor or, in particular, Elwood. Their names will reverberate around the history of Connacht rugby.

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.

O’Donoghue try snatches late draw

As Leinster & Munster fought their European battles, Connacht were fighting their way to a creditable draw, writes Jon O’Sullivan…

We were long enough waiting for it, so there was a hope that the Connacht-Treviso game would be worth the wait-and, with a late try securing Connacht a 23-23 all draw, it certainly was, at least in the eyes of the neutral observer. The premier Italian side in this seasons competition, the away trip to Treviso is never easy, thus Connacht can be pleased with the character they showed in securing a highly credible draw.

For much of the season, Paul O’Donoghue has watched on as young Kieran Marmion has tightened his Vulcan like grip on Connacht’s number nine jersey-not deterred, though, O’Donoghue has been an experienced option off the bench for Connacht all season and this was the case again on Friday evening.

Quite like the Westerners last fixture against Ulster, Connacht started the game well and, after sixteen minutes, had a try through Fetu’u Vainikolo. The Tongan has an innate ability to tear defences to shreds with his elusive running and superb ambition. Sometimes, Vainikolo is too ambitious in his approach, often taking the ‘Hollywood’ option as opposed to the conservative option, but, on this occasion, like so many others this season, it paid dividends. Off the tail of a Connacht line out, the ball fell to Kieran Marmion who exquisitely supplied Vainikolo with a deft disguise pass. Vainikolo collected the ball and showed his rugby sevens like broken field running in leaving the trailing Treviso defence for dead. The near nonchalant way in which Marmion executed the defence splitting pass is indicative of a player bursting at the seams with confidence. Surely, with the injury to Eoin Reddan and Conor Murray likely to be with the Lions, the Welsh born scrum half must tour with Ireland on this coming summers tour of North America. Dan Parks, as he invariably does, slotted the resultant conversion.

Parks had ample chance to stretch Connacht’s lead, but he skewed two of his three penalty attempts, leaving the score 10-3 to the visitors at half time-the Italians got on the score board via an Alberto Di Bernardo penalty.

In the battle of the place kickers, Di Bernardo was beginning to gain the ascendancy over Parks in the second half, slotting a penalty-and, after Parks was charged down by Italian International Alessandro Zanni- and adding a conversion. After his attempted relieving kick was charged down, the former Scotland international dove on the ball, but Treviso arrived en masse turning the ball over and supplying quick ball to Eduardo Gori who had the simplest of finishes.

Parks’ soon made amends and levelled the game at 13 all, converting a penalty after Treviso infringed. Once again, Parks and Di Bernardo compared kicking notes by each slotting a penalty, once again deadlocking the game at 16-16.

When people think about Italian rugby, one facet of their game stands out: their scrum. And it was from a scrum that Zebre secured the lead eight minutes from time. Connacht were coming under extreme scrutiny in the scrum, and it came as no surprise that the hooped wearing Italians were awarded a penalty try. Referees in this season’s competition seem far more inclined to award penalty tries than in previous seasons. Di Bernardo continued his unblemished kicking record by caressing the conversion through the posts for a 23-17 lead to the Italians.

Connacht, to their credit, never gave in and right at the death of the game were rewarded for their determined attitude. Connacht peppered the Treviso line, phase after phase brought the Irishmen closer to the holy grail of the try line; and, after his dummy was bought by the Treviso defence, O’Donoghue scuttled over the line from close distance. His first ever league try was converted by Parks, ending the game 23-23.

Considering Treviso’s form, five consecutive wins in all competitions, Connacht returning from Italy with a draw is far from a bad result.

It would be wrong to assume Connacht’s interest in the weekends rugby ended on Friday evening, as every set of Connacht associated eyes were watching the proceedings from Dublin and Montpellier respectively. My worst fears were confirmed in Montpellier; despite a gallant effort, Munster succumbed to defeat to an excellent Clermont side. After the emotional and physical toll of the Quins game, I felt it would be difficult for Munster to replicate such a performance again and, unfortunately, I was proved right. The fight and drive shown by Munster was absolutely fantastic, it would rekindle anyone’s love for the game of rugby. So, once again, it looks like Connacht’s hope of Heineken Cup rugby rest firmly on the shoulders of their eastern neighbours, Leinster.

In a performance matching the glorious RDS sunshine, Leinster ran riot, crushing Biarritz 44-16. With many of the players looking to impress the on looking Lions entourage, Leinster were near flawless in their performance. After losing to Connacht in December, Biarritz will be delighted to see the back of Ireland. After signing Mike McCarthy, Leinster received bad press in the Western quart of the country for what some fans felt was their poaching of Connacht players, but should Leinster, as expected, beat Stade Francais on home turf in the Amlin final on May 17^th, all will be forgiven.

Finally, newly confirmed Irish coach Joe Schmidt was fond of plundering Connacht during his tenure as Leinster coach, signing Fionn Carr, Jamie Hagan and Mike McCarthy, hopefully his affinity towards Connacht players continues in his role as Irish head coach. There are several young Connacht players who should on merit at least be involved in Irish training squads, and hopefully Schmidt recognizes this.

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.

Ulster spoil Elwood’s interpro sendoff

Connacht started brightly but couldn’t keep up with title-chasing Ulster, writes John O’Sullivan

Eric Elwood’s final interprovincial game in charge of Connacht ended in the agony of defeat at the hands of the Stuart Olding inspired Ulster, with a scoreline of 34-18 to the visitors.

Connacht has grown massively under the tutelage of the former Ireland international fly half. From the whipping boys, butt of the joke of Irish rugby, Elwood has instrumental in turning Connacht into what we see before us today: a well respected club with an ever increasing fan base and with the potential to improve even further.

Quite obviously, the fans and players alike are only too aware of Elwood’s achievements and the raucous atmosphere they generate and the ferocious tempo at which the home side started the game were indicative of their intentions to send Eric Elwood into retirement with a Interprovincial victory under his belt.

With the screams of encouragement from the fans reverberating around their ears, Connacht started the game like the proverbial house on fire, and, within five minutes, had a try on the board. The effervescent Kieran Marmion caught World Cup winning South African Ruan Pienaar dallying on the ball just outside the Ulster twenty two and pounced, along with several of his team mates, on the scrum half turning over possession and leaving the Ulster defence at sixes and sevens. Two quick fire passes gave George Naoupu an unscathed run in for a try owing to Connacht’s determined and dogged approach. Unusually, the perpetually accurate Dan Parks’ was wide with his conversion attempt.

In what proved to be a tit for tat scoring encounter, Ulster soon scored a try of their own; the aforementioned Olding crossed after a superb flowing move by Ulster. Pienaar made amends for his earlier penalty miss by slotting the resulting conversion.

The former Sharks half back was instrumental in the visitors’ next try. The South African’s exquisitely disguised reverse pass split the home sides defence and perfectly found the on rushing Andrew Trimble, who scurried in for Ulster’s second try of the evening. Pienaar, though, couldn’t continue his majestic few minutes and dragged the conversion wide. Once again, it wasn’t long before the whitewash was crossed, this time Connacht, through Fetu’u Vainikolo, had the honours.

Gavin Duffy’s inviting pass found the Tongan winger who evaded several attempted Ulster tackles to touch down for Connacht’s second try. Parks, this time, made no mistake with conversion, levelling the scores at twelve a piece. Dan Parks and Ruan Pienaar then embarked on a personal kicking dual, both kicking successful penalties, once again tying the game up at fifteen all.

One of the players on the field with genuine British and Irish Lions aspirations, Rory Best strengthened his claims with the games next try, off the back of a rolling maul. Should Best replicate Friday night’s form in the remaining games of the season, then, surely, he will be given his boarding pass for the summer tour to Australia. Pienaar added the extra’s to give Ulster a half time lead of 22-15.

Connacht, minus Dan Parks who was replaced by Miah Nikora, started the second half with a similar vigour to which they started the first and soon eroded Ulster’s lead with a penalty from the replacement fly half. Four points was, however, the closest Connacht would come to Ulster in the second half, as Mark Anscombe’s charges went up a gear and showed exactly why they are in the shake up for this season’s title. Soon to be Irish eligible Jared Payne thought he had secured the crucial bonus point securing try, but, after consulting the TMO, it was shown that Connacht winger Danie Poolman had wonderfully denied the Kiwi a try.

The bonus point try, though, was soon to come Ulster’s way. Showing their strength in depth, Ulster introduced Irish international tyro Iain Henderson. The gargantuan lock/back row ran directly at the heart of the Connacht defence, swatting away several lackadaisical tackles before supplying the pass that saw Tommy Bowe cross for the game and bonus point securing try. Perhaps a tad late to force his way into Warren Gatland’s Lions’ plans, the Monaghan man can be, nevertheless, proud of his performance, including his try which was his fiftieth in the league.

Connacht, no doubt as a consequence of their fired up start to the game, were out on their feet and Ulster again took full advantage as Jared Payne-not to be denied twice- went half of the length of the pitch to touch down and seal Ulster’s victory on a scoreline of 34-18.

Defeat is never easy, but Eric Elwood can be proud of his player’s efforts, especially in the first hour or so of the game. The winning of the game was Ulster’s star studded bench, which Mark Anscombe, to his credit, utilised excellently, making the right changes at the right times. As much incentive as Connacht had to win, Ulster had more. The Carrot of a guaranteed home semi final was dangled in front of Ulster before the game and their comprehensive victory guarantee’s that.

All associated with Connacht rugby would like to wish Ulster the best of luck in their remaining fixtures. Connacht will settle and concentrate their efforts on the protracted away to fixture to Treviso. Initially scheduled for last month, the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, obviously with a different set of match officials than at the away game at Biarritz earlier in the season.

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.

Parks prevails on old stomping ground

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.

From Russia with rugby club

Connacht watched the weekend’s European action with interest but they also had some of their own, writes John O’Sullivan…

In what’s quickly becoming a tradition between the clubs, Russian side Enisei travelled, for the second time in as many years, to the Sportsground to play the Connacht Eagles-and, just like last season, the Krasnoyarsk side left Galway with a comfortable win under their belts, this time by 39-24.

The friendly was useful for both sides in contrasting ways; Eagles coach Nigel Carolan used the game as an opportunity to test players in new positions, whereas defending Russian champions Enisei continued their pre season schedule. Indeed, former Sligo and Navan centre Mata Fifita was deployed in the unfamiliar role of blind side flanker. Registering a try, the powerful Tongan revelled in the role, and may just have given new coach Pat Lam some food for thought.

Just returning from injury, winger Tiernan O’Halloran reverted to his school boy and favourite position of full back. Coming from a strong GAA background, he has many of the attributes of a fullback; pace, competency under a high ball and a solid kicking game. Indeed, his father Aidan, who is currently President of the Connacht Branch, has an All Ireland Senior Football medal with Offaly, whilst Tiernan himself represented Galway at minor level. Despite his aptitude in the role, it is hard to see O’Halloran establishing himself in the role for Connacht, due mainly to the established number fifteen duo of Robbie Henshaw and Gavin Duffy.

Although Russia is still an obscure rugby nation, the oval balled game is growing there and the visitors boasted a team packed with internationals from Russia and other far flung rugby nations such as Latvia and Kazakhstan. Russia’s hosting of the 2010 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy-the second tier of the U20 World Cup-and the upcoming Rugby World Cup Sevens have brought and will, hopefully, bring significant media coverage and public intrigue to the game. New Osprey’s signing and Moldovan international Dima Arhip played in this fixture last season and should be used as a barometer of the standards in the Enisei side. Arhip made his Heineken Cup debut earlier this season, and is highly rated within the Ospreys set up.

Interestingly, former Ballynahinch fly half Ryan Bambry played and scored for the ‘Heavy Machine’ and is due to become a naturalised Russian citizen with a view to representing his adopted nation internationally.

Also in the Connacht team were the recently renewed contract duo of Matt Healy and Aaron Conneely, as well as first team weathered prop Rodney Ah You. Ah You will be hoping that his performance, where he scored a try, will be sufficient to impress his fellow Kiwi Pat Lam. Another man who may have impressed the coach elect was the aforementioned Matt Healy. A try scoring sensation at AIL level with Lansdowne, Healy could very well be a viable first team option for Connacht next season, and his contract extension confirms this.

With an annual budget of approximately €3.5m, Enisei are considered the second biggest club in Russia, second to VVA Podmoskovye Monino, therefore, it is no shame for the Eagles to lose to the men in blue and white, although they will still be naturally disappointed.

Away from on field matters, Connacht’s restructuring and rebuilding for next season has been geared up significantly in the previous few weeks. Firstly, the wait is over, Pat Lam is now officially Connacht coach, and will work in tandem with Eric Elwood until the end of the season, before taking the reign’s solo. Secondly, there was news of both players in and out. As mentioned above, Aaron Conneely and Matt Healy renewed their respective deals by a further year, and, following Johnny O’Connor, stalwart Hooker Adrian Flavin announced his retirement.

Similarly to Mike McCarthy, Flavin was born in London to Irish parentage, and represented Ireland at under 19, under 21 and A levels. Flavin also had the honour of being part of the Ireland U19 that were crowned World Champions in 1998.In total, since signing for Connacht from London Irish-where he spent nine seasons-Flavin has made 138 appearances and muddied the goal area on twelve occasions.

Flavin will be sorely missed around the Sportsground and will leave with the respect and fanfare of everyone associated with the Western province. Reading between the lines, though, Connacht’s signing of Sligo born hooker Sean Henry from Munster as well as the form of the incumbent hooker Jason Harris-Wright made Flavin’s departure nearly inevitable.

In the past season or so, Connacht have raided the AIL for Mata Fifita, Brian Murphy, JP Cooney and Matt Healy, and that trend is set to continue unabated with the confirmation of prodigious Lansdowne outhalf Craig Ronaldson’s singing on a one year deal. The top scorer in this season All Ireland League and an Irish Clubs international, Ronaldson will provide competition for fly half duo Dan Parks and Miah Nikora. It is fantastic compliment for the much maligned All Ireland League, that Connacht continue to plunder the AIL in search of unpolished gems.

Connacht’s hopes of qualifying for next seasons Heineken Cup, the third participation in the competition in the provinces history, were boosted this weekend by Irish victories in both the Amlin and Heineken Cup quarter finals, but not in the way expected. Should Leinster win the Amlin Cup-which they should at a canter- or Munster win the Heineken Cup then Connacht will be rewarded with Heineken Cup next term. Before last weekend, though, many, myself included, thought that Connacht’s hope lay with Ulster and Leinster.

With the Gloucester miracle match still vividly fresh in our memories, it is foolish to write off Munster and their performance in the 18-12 victory was Munster at their visceral best. One would be forgiven for thinking that the year was 2000 as the Thomond Park based side rolled back the years with a performance reminiscence of the Munster sides of Wood, Foley, Clohessy and Galwey of yesteryear. The much fancied Harlequins were denied quick ball at source by the fantastically committed Munster. After shipping fifty one points away to Glasgow before the Quins’ game, a Munster backlash was inevitable, but no one-not even the most ardent Munster fan-could have seen this performance coming. James Downey’s hit on Mike Brown, which no doubt rearranged some of the England capped full backs organs, epitomized Munster’s performance. Warren Gatland could do worse than watching footage of the totemic performances of Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony when selecting his Lions touring party.

Most suggested that Ireland’s Heineken Cup hopes lay with Ulster rather than Ulster, but the Ravenhill men’s hopes were scuppered by the Iron clad defence of Saracen’s as well as the metronomic boot of Owen Farrell. The Sky Sport’s commentary duo did much throughout the game to champion Saracen’s lineout-the most accurate in this season’s competition, and that’s exactly where the game’s opening try came from. The inform Will Frazier, easily the best English openside this weekend, take note Stuart Lancaster and Chris Robshaw, was credited with the try after consultation from the Television Match Official. However, in retrospect, and with the aid of the television replays, it appeared that the lineout that Saracens scored from should have indeed been an Ulster lineout. In the way the English pack of 2003 were set up to best utilise Johnny Wilkinson, the Saracens pack are similar with the fantastic Owen Farrell and comparisons between the two are both apt and inevitable. In the wreckage of defeat, there are positives for Ulster, however, including the return from injury of international class winger Tommy Bowe and the performance of young Ian Henderson. The 21 year old Craigavon born man registered a late try for Ulster and one occasion made massive yards charging through the heart of the Saracen’s defence like a Pamplonian bull. The loss of Stephen Ferris is a massive blow to Ulster, but the emergence and form of Henderson has slightly offset that.

So, Connacht’s Heineken Cup dreams are still alive, but having watched Clermont obliterate Montpellier, I fully expect us to one again thank Leinster next season, rather than Munster. But, like, I said, never write out Munster; either way, I’ll be delighted if Leinster win the Amlin Cup or Munster win the Heineken Cup or both win the respective competitions, and so will the rest of the Connacht Clan.

Click here for the full set of photos from Connacht Eagles v Ensei-STM

I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.

Paulie stalls green juggernaut

Connacht were undone by Munster’s experience and quality, writes John O’Sullivan

With the two sides in contrasting form, and the return of Paul O’Connell, it was almost written in the stars that Connacht would succumb to defeat to Munster at Musgrave Park on Saturday last. Losing to Munster away is never a shame-after all, Munster are two times European Champions, and despite having a poor season by their own high standards boast several quality players.

What will irk Eric Elwood, though, is his side’s capitulation, particularly in attack. With the incentive of potential Lions’ places, many of the Munster players-in particular talisman Paul O’Connell raised their game massively. Munster started the game like a house on fire, touching down twice in fifteen minutes, leaving Connacht and their game plan is a state of flux.

Not in consideration for the Lions, Damian Varley with his two try salvo-almost certainly booked his place on Ireland’s summer tour of North America. With Rory Best almost certainly to be a Lions’ tourist, the former Wasp Varley could enhance his credentials with a solid summer tour. And if he replicates the form he showed Saturday, he almost certainly will.

Two veteran outhalves took the field for each team, but, on this occasion, it was the much maligned Munster man who took the plaudits. It has been a difficult few weeks for O’Gara, but his performance epitomised the mental strength in adversity that has become a key weapon for him in a glittering career. Two conversions from three and a penalty was O’Gara’s reward for a productive day at the office.

In terms of territory and possession, Munster were clearly in the ascendancy , but Connacht did have their own bright spells, but, like so many times in the past, they failed to make their pressure count. On several occasions, Connacht where a solitary pass away from crossing the Munster line but inexplicable passing errors saw each move break down. From the vantage point of my armchair, it made for frustrating viewing, I only imagine how seething Eric Elwood was with some of his charges.

Individually, Connacht’s stand out players where tyro Kieran Marmion and the ever energetic Danie Poolman. Ironically, though, Connacht’s best chance of a try came from Marmion’s replacement, Paul O’Donoghue. After several phases of Connacht pressure, the scrum half was bundled into touch a mere few metres from the line.

The Westerners can take solace from the fact that they denied their Southern neighbours a losing bonus point.

With three wins previous to the Munster game, Connacht must dust themselves down and show the same levels of skills and fight that secured them three wins on the trot when they travel away to the improving Benetton Treviso on Saturday. With four games remaining, Connacht will want to mark another year of growth with yet more victories. The Green Juggernaut may have been temporarily stalled, but it will continue to grow.

I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.

Connacht tame Zebre once more

Connacht made it four wins out of four over the new Italian club this season but none of them were easy, writes John O’Sullivan…

With regard to Zebre, given that the club is merely a year old, I struggle to use the term traditionally, but, in Connacht’s four fixtures against the Italians-despite the Sportsground men winning each of the game- victory has been hard earned.

Indeed, an aggregate score of 97-66 in favour of Connacht, illustrates the scrutiny which Zebre have put Eric Elwood’s men under this season.

Connacht, though, started Friday night’s game like a hour on fire-registering two quick tries in a tempo that more resembled basketball than rugby.

The impressive Jason Harris-Wright-who, in my opinion should tour with the Irish senior squad in their summer North American tour- was pivotal to Connacht’s opening try. The former Bath and Leinster hooker’s accurate dart was plucked from the evening sky by Mick Kearney who’s pass found Dan Parks; Parks’ pass found Gavin Duffy and the Mayo man’s incisive pass was with all the momentum of a freight train by Eoin McKeown. The Galway man’s speed and line of running saw him touch-down unscathed for a wonderful training ground forged try. Dan Parks had the simple task of converting, which he duly did making the score 7-0 to the hosts.

Zebre reacted well to going behind and, through Samoan winger Sinoti Sinoti, tested Connacht’s defensive resolve. Imperious in his two try haul away to Cardiff last time out, Willie Faloon was less impressive on this occasion-giving away several penalties, including a penalty for going in off his feet, which Zebre, through fly half Paolo Buso, opened their account from.

Shoehorned into the team at wing, in order to accommodate tyro Robbie Henshaw at full back, Gavin Duffy extended Connacht’s lead further with a try that owed to the former Harlequin’s attributes of pace and evasion. Parks, again, slotted the conversion to make the score 14-3 to Connacht.

In the last home game, Connacht’s scrum proved too much for the Ospreys-but, this time around the roles were reversed, and Zebre, with former Munster prop Dave Ryan to the fore, gave Connacht’s props, Nathan White and Brett Wilkinson, a torrid time. Indeed, Buso’s and Zebre’s next score was a penalty which was won at scrum time.

Zebre were gradually building up a head of steam and soon had a try of their own. The impressive Sinoti Sinoti was instrumental to the score-with his run leaving Connacht’s defensive structure in disarray, the Samoan’s pass then found the onrushing Gonzalo Sarto, who cantered over for a deserved five pointer. Buso made no mistake with the conversion and left Connacht’s lead at the bare minimum, 14-13.

With the possibility of losing eminent, Connacht upped their game and stretched their lead when Parks caressed a penalty over the bar, after Zebre were reprimanded for not releasing at the breakdown.

Connacht gave contracts to several former AIL players this season, and, though, he was impressive otherwise, former Galwegian Brian Murphy conceded a penalty for not releasing Paolo Buso in the tackle. Buso dusted himself down and slotted the resultant penalty to make it a one point game again; 17-16.

Ronan Loughney was brought on to try and rectify Connacht’s troubles at scrum time, but his introduction didn’t chequer Zebre’s scrumagging dominance. Another scrum, another penalty and-this time through Gonzalo Garcia- another score. The centre showed awesome accuracy and technique as his kick dissected the posts from just inside Connacht’s half. It was a fitting way for Zebre to seize the lead for the first time in the game.

Connacht began to turn the screw, and- as a consequence-Zebre’s discipline went out the window. Dan Parks assumed the role of judge, jury and executioner as he made Zebre pay the ultimate price with a drop goal and a penalty. Parks’ six points were enough to seal the game for the men in green, with a score of 23-19.

The final whistle blew to a collected sigh of relief from the Sportsground faithful. I think I speak for all of Connacht’s fans when I say, thank god were won’t play Zebre again this season.

Pat Lam’s reshaping of Connacht’s back room staff continues apace as it was announced that backs coach Billy Millard will leave the province at the end of the season. Formerly of Cardiff Blues, it is undeniable that the Kiwi added an extra dimension to Connacht’s back play since his appointment in 2011. The one time Australia 7’s coach leaves with the best wishes of everyone associated with Connacht rugby.

I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.

Back-to-back Welsh success for Connacht

Dan Parks’ late withdrawal didn’t prevent Connacht’s rare victory in the Welsh capital, writes John O’Sullivan…

It’s not often anyone will have the pleasure of writing this, so I will enjoy this…Connacht have won back to back Rabo Direct Pro 12 games, with a marvellous 26-22 victory away to Cardiff Blues.

Such has been the gap since Connacht last won in the Welsh capital, coach Eric Elwood was still playing. On that occasion, in 2001, Elwood kicked two penalties as Connacht won a turgid affair 6-3; however, on this occasion, it was the same mans tactics and his organisation of his players that proved decisive.

Many people have labelled Connacht as too reliant on Dan Parks, but, with the former Blues player being ruled out of action just before kick off, this theory is redundant.

Miah Nikora was summoned to take Parks’ place in the line up and the Kiwi didn’t disappoint, kicking a conversion and several penalties as Connacht mercilessly punished any Blues indiscipline.

Connacht started the game like a team possessed, and, within five minutes, didn’t have one, but two tries. Firstly, the ever improving Danie Poolman picked a great line off Gavin Duffy’s pass and galloped over the line for the games first try. The South African project player is really finding his feet as of late, and his try on Friday night was his fourth in only nine league appearances. Nikora missed the subsequent conversion, but would have a chance to make amends a matter of moments later as Willie Faloon, another player who’s thoroughly impressed in his debut season for Connacht, crossed for a try. Fetu’u Vainikolo’s incisive pass sent the former Ulster open-side crashing through some lackadaisical Cardiff for Connacht’s second try, in a start that amazed even the most ardent Connacht supporters. This time, Nikora made no mistake with his conversion attempt, leaving the score at 12-0 to the visitors.

Cardiff, left ashen faced by Connacht’s start, began to raise their game and where rewarded for their pressure when Rhys Patchell landed a long range penalty, punishing Connacht for infringing at the breakdown. Patchell proved integral for Cardiff’s first try, as his pass found slippery winger Harry Robinson who eluded Connacht’s attempted tackles and dived in at the corner. Patchell was brought back down to earth when his conversion attempt proved inaccurate.

Threatening to build up a head of steam, Connacht broke Cardiff’s momentum with a successful Miah Nikora penalty as the Welsh side strayed offside. The half time whistle blew with Connacht holding a 15-8 lead.

With words of” encouragement” from coach Phil Davies still reverberating around their ears, Cardiff began the second half in the ascendancy and were soon rewarded with another Patchell penalty. Cardiff were awarded the penalty as hooker Jason Harris-Wright impeded the home sides scrum half, Lewis Jones, in an offside position. To add insult to injury, the former Leinster hooker was also sin binned for his troubles.

Connacht, who where, of course, a man in arrears dug deep and frustrated the home side, and drew the period Harris-Wright spent in the bin 3-3 with the home side; with Patchell and Nikora again trading penalties.

In their last game against Welsh opposition, Connacht obliterated the Ospreys scrum, but Cardiff would gain at least parity on this occasion, and, after being awarded a penalty for a powerful scrum, Patchell dragged his attempt wide.

It proved to be a good night for Irish back rows, and Cardiff’s Robin Copeland, formerly of Rotherham and the Leinster academy, collected Liam Davies’ pass and powered over the line to give Cardiff the lead for the first time in the game. . Ive been fortunate enough to play 7’s rugby against Copeland, and, take it from me, the Wexford man is seriously quick.

Copeland’s try bloodied the nose of Connacht, but their reaction to losing their hard earned lead was wonderful. Willie Faloon, not to be outdone by his fellow Irish backrow, scored his second try of the night after picking and going from the back of a Connacht scrum. Many Ulster fans were scratching their heads at their clubs decision to let Faloon leave the province, and, in retrospect, due to the consistently high level of Faloon’s performances, I feel the Ravenhill men will regret their decision.

The games topsy turvy nature continued as Patchell’s fourth penalty cut the deficit to a single point. Despite fielding a young side, Connacht never panicked and their persistence was awarded when Miah Nikora took advantage of yet more Cardiff indiscipline with another successful penalty goal.

Cardiff threw the proverbial kitchen sink at Connacht in the dying embers of the game, but where met with stout Connacht resistance. The final whistle blew to a chorus of the Fields of Athenry from the small pocket of Connacht fans inside Arms Park. Unlike Cardiff, the Connacht fans were given something to sing about from their players.

Two consecutive wins and with the signing of the Chief’s captain, Craig Clarke, in the bag, Connacht fans can afford themselves a wry smile. With bottom of the table Zebre visiting the Sportsground on Friday, three consecutive wins may well be on the card for Connacht. Saying that, Connacht will need to up their performance from the last time they hosted the Italians. On that occasion-in the Heineken Cup- Connacht where thankful to Dan Parks’ boot for salvaging an undeserved victory over Zebre.

With Connacht CEO, Tom Sears, promising more signings to add to those of Muldowney, Carr, Henry and Clarke, and the appointment of Pat Lam, the future looks bright for Connacht. Hopefully one of the other provinces will do us a favour and secure our passage into a third Heineken Cup campaign. No pressure, lads, but if you don’t do it, you’re never allowed in Galway again.

I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.

Connacht end Ospreys jinx

A resurgent Connacht broke a winless streak against the Pro12 champions that went back to May 2008, writes John O’Sullivan…

Connacht responded to their defeat away to Scarlets with a 22-10 victory over bogey team Ospreys. Previously, matches against Ospreys have brought Connacht nothing but defeat (we hadn't beaten the Welsh region since 2008), but, powered by a powerful scrummaging performance, the Westerners had too much for their Welsh counterparts. Nathan White, Brett Wilkinson and Jason Harris-Wright proved to be an extremely cohesive unit, as they, apart from the first scrum, obliterated Opsreys at the set-piece.

Such is the consistency of Dan Parks, I feel all my match reports should centre around the brilliance of the former Scotland international. On Saturday, again, Parks was majestic; contributing seventeen of Connacht's twenty two points.

Ospreys started the game in menacing fashion; and soon, through Kahn Fotuali’i they took the lead. To prove the semblance the scrum played in this game, Ospreys scored a try from the only penalty they were awarded at scrum time. Ospreys fly half, Matthew Morgan, found the corner from the resulting penalty, and, eventually, after a series of phases, Northampton bound scrum-half touched down.

Considered by many as Ireland's only natural openside, Willie Falloon excelled, particularly in the open, where he was on the receiving end of a intricate Connacht team move. Parks added the extra's to give Connacht a 10-7 lead.

From then on in, The Ospreys folded like the proverbial accordion., the Welsh only scored three points to Connacht's twelve in the second half, three Parks penalties and a well executed drop goal.

Once again, Robbie Henshaw proved his credentials as one of the brightest young full backs in Europe with a commanding display. Particularly telling, though, was the fact that Connacht replaced the injured Tiernan O'Halloran with Gavin Duffy, thus meaning Henshaw retained his place at full back.

In a move that shocked the rugby public, Waikato Chiefs' captain Craig Clarke has agreed to join Connacht on a three year deal. The lock, who was represented New Zealand at Junior level, will be a ready made replacement for Leinster bound Mike McCarthy. Clarke's signing sets a magnificent precedent; firstly, Connacht players will want to remain with the province, due to the ambition shown by signing the likes of Clarke; secondly, prospective signings will look at Connacht and their project to develop as a great opportunity. Slowly, but surely, Connacht are becoming a force to be dealt with.

I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.

Poor run continues for Connacht

Connacht are still lacking the resources to replace international call-ups, writes John O’Sullivan

Connacht perpetuated their disappointing record away to Scarlets' with another loss at the home of the Welsh region.

Many people feared Connacht's physical and emotional investment in this seasons Heineken Cup campaign would be detrimental to the Westerner’s league form; and, unfortunately, this prediction seems to have come to fruition.

There are, however, positives to be taken from the wreckage of Connacht's 25-15 defeat. With four tries this season, utility back Danie Poolman appears to be settling in nicely and looks sure to be a key player for Connacht for the coming seasons.

Collecting a cross field kick from Dan Parks, Poolman strode over the line for a try of supreme skill.

Parks will rightly receive kudos for his assist for Poolman, and his conversion and drop goal but the undisputed star of the show was his opposite number, Owen Williams.

The twenty year old fly half ruthlessly punished Connacht's indiscipline with six penalties and converting South African lock Johan Snyman's try.

With five minutes remaining the Sportsground men were losing 25-8, and henceforth went hell for leather to try and salvage an unlikely losing point. Their attempts proved futile, though, despite Michael Swifts try which Parks converted.

Connacht were missing key players from their squad due to international obligations, Henshaw, McCarthy, McSharry, the triumvirate’s international selection is a compliment to Connacht, but their absence was sorely felt.

I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.

Connacht going through transition phase

Continuity will be key at the Sportsgrounds as the coaching staff changes hands, writes John O’Sullivan

The gaze of the rugby world has been firmly, and rightly, focused on the enthralling opening weekend of the Six Nations - this, however, doesn't mean that club sides halt their preparation for next season.

On the contrary, Connacht have been busy moulding their backroom team which will work under Pat Lam next season. Indeed, much respected defence coach Mike Forshaw (above pic) will stay with the Westerners to the end of the current campaign, at which point he will be replaced. A highly respected coach, Forshaw made his name in rugby league as both a player and coach, particularly with the Wigan Warriors.

In other green and black news, assistant coach and former Connacht prop Dan McFarland will stay on as Pat Lam’s assistant next season. It is crucial that Connacht, retain a homegrown nucleus within their coaching set up, and McFarland offers a vast knowledge of the players currently in the Connacht squad, which will, undoubtedly, benefit the new coach. While not actually hailing from the region himself, McFarland has assimilated brilliantly into the club and the area, beginning as a player between 2000-2006, then as forwards coach and finally now assistant coach.

Pat Lam will bring a fresh impetus and direction to Connacht, but the continuity that McFarland brings is just as important. The former prop has been an integral part of the province for thirteen years and, aside from Eric Elwood, is the best qualified pair of eyes in Connacht rugby. McFarland appreciates Connacht's history, albeit modest, and thus knows exactly what the men in green need to do to keep progressing. Lam and McFarland could be a coaching dream team.

I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.