Connacht fail yet another critical test

Date Published: 24-Jan-2008

DON’T think for a second this one didn’t matter. Sure enough the Magners League is the bread and butter for Connacht these days but for momentum, brand awareness, and player development the European Challenge Cup has its own pivotal role to play. Friday’s defeat was no soft landing, it was an unexpected thud.
So here we are, still in contention for a Heineken Cup place in January and we’re not happy. Why? Well, it’s just that niggling feeling that defeats like this could be a signpost to deeper problems and with
‘must win’ home encounters against the effective ‘A’ teams of Munster and Leinster on the horizon, such concerns are bound to fester.
A superb crowd of 3,544 turned up at the Sportsground for what they thought would be Connacht’s fourth victory on the bounce at the venue.
Those same supporters must be wondering why every time expectation levels growslightly among the faithful, results don’t follow. Much like Ireland, Connacht seem to thrive on the underdog mantra but struggle when they are playing a team of seemingly inferior
quality.