Connacht keen to end long losing away run

Date Published: {J}

Rob Murphy

THE Magners League season concludes this Friday night (7:30) in Ravenhill where Connacht will look to end a run of four decades without a win in Ulster and finish the campaign on a high.

It seems an unlikely scenario as the squad must be mentally drained after an incredible couple of months rugby in the west. An average of 4,500 supporters have attended the last four games at the Sportsground. Jersey sales have gone through the roof and the profile of the game is at an all time high in the region.

Connacht stood toe to toe with the might of Toulon on Friday night and won plenty of plaudits for their gutsy effort. They certainly missed opportunities in the second half and, perhaps, lacked an experienced campaigner in the pack to control things when the try line was inches away during the second half.

The huge home support backed their side passionately and the hope for all Connacht rugby enthusiasts will be that this will be remembered as the season where the game really found a foothold in the west.

However, big games have come and gone in the past without momentum being built on. After the Sale and Harlequins semi final defeats of five and six years ago respectively, Connacht didn’t push on. In fact, they slipped back and the IRFU really needs to help Connacht financially to ensure the blindingly obvious potential for growth is realised.

This season, with a miniscule budget, the Connacht team and management have maximized their resources and have taken rugby in the provinces to a new level. In some ways, it shows that budgets aren’t everything but to make the next step to Heineken Cup rugby, increased investment will be needed.

For now though, let’s hope the team can find the determination to pull out one last big performance up in Ulster and end the season on a good note.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.