Connacht’s best this season fails to reap its just rewards

Munster 20

Connacht 17

HERE’S a conundrum. How do you square the reality that Connacht produced their best performance in Thomond Park in over five years with the fact that they still lost on Friday night? Moreover, in terms of application, commitment and poise, this effort was as good as anything Andy Friend’s men have conjured up this year. They should have won and, yet in defeat, they can grasp a lot of positives.

That’s not to say this was a moral victory, it wasn’t that. Connacht are second in their conference and are secure in a Champions Cup qualification position with two games to spare. They are in that position because they have by and large delivered on their capabilities over the course of the season. In one sense, all they did in Limerick on Friday was live up to what they are capable of, yet in another sense, this was a game that they left behind them.

Munster were without some key men here. Playing an inter-provincial during the Six Nations is a novel, and unlikely to be repeated, event. Connacht often play inter-pros against opponents that are resting key players but this was enforced and Munster certainly looked short of a gear or two. Think back to January when they won in Galway, Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander and Tadgh Beirne were all key players in that one. They were all missing here against a full-strength Connacht. That helped.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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