SO many words come to mind in my attempt to describe what I witnessed on Saturday evening. But each time I settle on any of those usually found to mark special occasions, it feels unoriginal, used, not hitting the tone right.

I could say it was magical, monumental and yes, historic, of course. Probably all of the above. But there was an undercurrent palpable, already in the lead-up to matchday, that eludes language or even reason. It touches the heart, the inexplicable.

‘I’m a rare breed’, that’s what I like to tell people from the rugby community. Of course they’d ask why, and my reply would be: ‘Because rugby is an absolute niche sport in Germany that most people wouldn’t have a clue about. But I love it.’

And as soon-to-be-married to a Mayo woman, I’ve quickly learned about the Connacht ways, about the special story of its people. I know what the phrase ‘To Hell or to Connacht’ means. 

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I’m also aware of Connacht Rugby’s eventful history. From a rugby province that was founded in 1885, a bit late to the show, as the other provincial teams had been in existence for a decade already. 

The harsh realities of life in the West of Ireland have always been reflected in the fate of Connacht Rugby. Most of the time in the shadow of the shiny Leinster, Munster and even at times Ulster teams.  

Of course there was the famous league win in 2016. That day out in Edinburgh, beating Leinster. Pat Lam days. But also, Connacht was famously coined ‘the team that refused to die’.

A whole province came together and fought for their team, their representation when they were about to be extinguished. As so often, it was a familiar and painful experience for people from the West, to feel disposable.

That the IRFU even entertained the thought of culling one of the four old and proud provinces was a travesty. What would they have done with ‘Ireland’s Call’? Amend the lyrics and remove the reference to Connacht altogether?

COMMUNITY

THE people from the West made sure they were heard back then and again last Saturday. When the team walked back towards the dressing room after their warm-up, the applause coming from the freshly opened Clan Stand had the hairs on my neck standing up.

It was truly crazy, I sensed how everyone approaching the new stand didn’t really know where to go. Even the stewards were engaged in lively debates. Myself and the friend I went with weren’t even sure whether we were in the right seats for a while.

We bumped into Mack Hansen and Mayo man Dave Heffernan in the concourse. Unfortunately for the Ballina man, he sustained a calf injury the week before and must have been gutted to lose out on the chance of being on the pitch Saturday evening.

It was good to see though, that players who didn’t make the squad for whatever reason, were taking seats on the Clan Stand, being part of the community.

Speaking of which, I saw quite many familiar faces from the club grounds around Mayo, and other counties. Great to see how Connacht brings the province together. They might be rivals on any given Sunday in the Junior Leagues, but on matchday at the Dexcom, they share the same bond, the same history.

Hard to imagine, as someone told me, that the crowds at the ground formerly known as The Sportsground, were only maybe 300 in the early days of professionalism.

To see the growth culminate in the opening of the new Dexcom Stadium, with a massive Clan Stand of more than 6,000 seats to throw their weight behind their team, must invoke a sense of satisfaction among the older die-hards.

Browsing through the matchday programme, I noticed Geesala man Fiachna Barrett was included in a special Academy player interview. Good to see, how the ‘Big Red’ explained his rugby journey.

How he arrived in Galway as a back row forward and has since transitioned to a prop, a front row forward, is akin to Heffernan’s experience.

PERFORMANCE

THE big question was, as we tried rub off the construction site dust off our coats and trousers, will the boys be up for the challenge? Leinster honoured the occasion with a strong team selection, as Lacken man Caelan Doris had his 100th cap for the men in blue, who lined out in white that evening.

Only a few weeks ago, Leinster had inflicted a heavy eight-try defeat on Connacht. But the men in green showed up and gave them a good run for the money. Three scrum penalties for Connacht, dominant tackles, and a defensively very disciplined performance kept both teams locked at 13 points each in the second half. 

The atmosphere was electric, the team played their part in it. ‘The Fields of Athenry’ rang out and to be honest, a good performance was needed to keep the supporters on their toes, even on a historic day like this.

From a Mayo point of view, it was only fitting that Ballina man Harry West got the ball on the wing and had a clear path in front of him to blitz unimpeded into the Leinster try zone to touch it down between the sticks. I have to write it: The sound was ear deafening. Connacht had scored the first points in the second half, taken the lead.

A 20-13 lead gave Connacht supporters belief. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. Leinster responded strongly and three tries within 13 minutes finished the game off. 

The performance was there and supporters after the match were happy enough, myself included. Connacht showed to the rugby world how the new stadium can become an asset and how Connacht can make it really hard for teams to come out here and return with something in their cargo. 

Clada, the band contributing some fabulous trad music on a stage set up in one corner, actually played live in moments when the game clock was stopped by the referee. I’d never seen that before. 

Conversations after the match were optimistic. Why wouldn’t they be? The stadium might need some getting used to. The food experience was pretty average, but who goes to a rugby match for a stellar meal?

On the contrary, rugby fans in Connacht are starved of success and even though results haven’t really fallen their way, Stuart Lancaster’s men have shown potential. Signings for next season are a reason to hope.

After writing about 1,000 words, I think, maybe there is indeed one word to sum up Connacht Rugby at this crucial moment, after opening the famous Clan Stand: Defiance!

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