Connacht’s best yet leaves the Red Army punch drunk

Inside Track with John McIntyre

Most of Connacht’s best days in the professional era have been crammed into a remarkable current season, but what unfolded at the Sportsground last Saturday night surely tops the lot. By the end of another absorbing encounter, one team was understandably leaping about with joy, the other was out on its feet.

In fact, Munster were punch drunk at the finish of a critical Irish derby which swung violently against them on the approach to half time. They lost two of their pack to yellow cards and Connacht smelt blood. The home team went from 14-8 behind to six points in front. It was a masterclass in ruthlessness more associated with the men in red in their hey-day.

The manner in which the second half unfolded just confirmed Connacht’s staggering rise this season as tries from Niyi Adeolokun, his second of the match, and Finlay Bealham, from close range, helped to secure a bonus point victory and, in the process, complete the Inter-pro double over Munster for the first time ever. All-told, it was an heroic response to the previous weekend’s crushing Challenge Cup exit to Grenoble.

That was the context in the build up to the clash with Munster. Connacht were coming off the back of agonisingly losing a thriller to the French Top 14 outfit and they hadn’t long to repair the physical and mental scars from such a near miss. In contrast, Anthony Foley’s charges would be arriving at the College Road venue fresh from having a weekend off, but also with a score to settle after losing to the Westerners on home soil for the first time in nearly 30 years earlier in the campaign.

For much of the opening quarter, wind-assisted Munster were in the driving seat. They had more possession and territory, with their superiority reflected in tries from Simon Zebo and Mike Sherry. Connacht were looking a little flat but even before the opposition sin-binnings, it was clear they were in no mood to roll over. The brilliant Bundee Aki, who has become something of a local cult hero, had almost put Kieran Marmion through before being involved, along with Bealham, in sending Adeolokun clear in the 36th minute.

With Munster then down to 13 men, Connacht piled on the pressure and it was no surprise they were awarded a penalty try in the final play of the half. The Munster players looked shell-shocked and through they initially battled manfully on the resumption, Pat Lam’s charges gradually regained control in powering to an emphatic 35-14 victory which all but guarantees a place in the Pro12 semi-finals.

Not alone could Munster not cope with Connacht’s overall aggression and physicality – highlighted by the rampaging second row Ultan Dillane – but their skills set against their ambitious hosts were also made to look ordinary. Once more, John Muldoon, who is in the form of his life, and company remained true to their superbly honed off-loading and attacking values. Connacht are just thrilling to watch at present and the squad is rightly imbued with great confidence.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.