Connacht’s Juniors upset the odds

Connacht’s Juniors upset the odds

Leinster 6

Pen: U Murphy (2)

Connacht 10

Try: C Maher

Pen: S Sweeney

Con: S Sweeney

Rob Murphy

Westmanstown

THE reigning champions were out-battled at a wet and blustery Westmanstown on Saturday as Connacht upset the odds with a brilliant display, full of desire and determination.

There was a downpour by the time Leinster and Connacht kicked off at the Westmanstown sports complex just outside Lucan. It made for a difficult afternoon for both sets of players and Connacht adapted better in all departments. 

Under the guidance of a new coaching team of JP Walsh and Mickey Murphy, Connacht are looking a little different this season thanks to a new wave of emerging young players. But after a disappointing home defeat to Ulster seven days previously, the team were very much in need of a performance on Saturday.  

Leinster led 6-0 at half time thanks to two penalties from the ever-accurate boot of Dundalk man Ultan Murphy. They also had created the best try-scoring chances of the first half, with Murphy almost getting over in the corner and Johnny Williams and Mike South combining well on another attack to create space.

Yet with the wind at Leinster’s backs, the scores didn’t follow. In fact, Connacht could well have had some scores on the board with two close in penalties missed, largely because of the conditions, and Connemara centre Dave McDonagh coming close to scoring a try on a rampaging run.

On the resumption, Connacht assumed control for long periods despite feeling the pressure at scrum time. The foundations to their success came from some tenacious forward play. Westport flanker Kevin Hastings earned some key penalties at the breakdown, big ball-carrying NUIG lock Peter Claffey had a huge influence, as did the ever influential Ballinasloe back rower John Hayes. 

Connacht’s try came as the result of a lose kick from Leinster, but there was a lot of work to be done when Connemara full back Ian Heanue collected. He shrugged off one tackle and broke clear from inside his own half beating a second defender, kicking ahead for Monivea’s Coleman Maher to win the race for the try.

The conversion from Shane Sweeney gave Connacht the lead and the Connemara man added a penalty with ten minutes to go to put more pressure on a Leinster side that were struggling against the elements. Adam Bourke of Westport and Conor Mason of Ballina came on to secure the scrum against a tiring home side and the game was sealed with some hard work epitomised by captain Liam Scahill.

“It was a great performance,” said Connacht head coach JP Walsh. “The lads worked so hard. Right to the end, they were diving on any lose ball and just determined to win possession in as tough conditions as you’ll see.

“At half time I was happy. We were 6-0 down, turning into the wind. I could see how they were switched on. Even before I spoke, I could see they were in the right frame of mind on what they had to do in the second half, and they came out and played with discipline and focus.”

It proved enough to secure their first victory over Leinster in three years. In 2012, the late Peter Cosgrove proved the hero with a try that will live long in the memory. Maher’s try won’t be forgotten any time soon either. They play Munster in Creggs next Saturday (2.30pm).

LEINSTER
M Nevin; R Doyle, M South, J Williams, U Murphy; B Duggan, M Russell; J Clifford, J Lee, D Quinn; N Smullen, P Nolan; C Dunne, B Flaherty, D Broghal.
Replacements used: J McGahy, R Gleeson, C Carroll, W Wojnar (Wicklow), A Hanley, G Bater, S McGee.

CONNACHT
I Heanue (Connemara); K Corcoran (Westport), M Mannion (Monivea), D McDonagh (Connemara), C Maher (Monivea); S Sweeney (Connemara), M O’Toole (Connemara); E Conroy (Connemara); J O’Connor (Westport), P McCreanor (OLBC); L Scahill (Westport), P Claffey (NUIG); S Connolly (OLBC), K Hastings (Westport); J Hayes (Ballinasloe).
Replacements used: R Kelly (Ballina), C Mason (Ballina), A Bourke (Westport), R Stanley (NUIG), D Carpenter (Westport), M Allen (Ballina).

Referee: F Murphy