Depleted Connacht rise to challenge with great show

Connacht 30

Ulster 25

THERE haven’t been too many more impressive home performances in the Pat Lam era than what we witnessed under lights at the Sportsground on Friday evening. In perfect weather, with an injury hit squad, Connacht produced a truly magnificent 80 minutes to down the side that has beaten them more times than any other in this league.

It was Pat Lam’s first win over Ulster in seven attempts, it was Connacht’s first four try bonus point against them in 26 Pro12 and Celtic League meetings and only a fourth ever win in 15 years of the competition. What is seldom is wonderful for sure but this result can’t be treated in isolation either. It is part of a trend.

The disastrous pre season and inevitable poor start is now a footnote for Connacht. In two weeks, despite plenty of adversity, Connacht have notched up a brace of bonus point home wins. That off the back of a much improved display even in defeat away to Llanelli. A corner has been turned and it has been done by a squad decimated by injuries and changes.

Friday’s game was a thrilling and high skilled encounter from start to finish Connacht scored three tries within the first half hour to lead 19-3 but over the next 20 minutes or so, Ulster responded with three of their own and the score was level at 22 each five minutes into the second half with the visitors in the ascendency, having notched two tries within two minutes of each other.

The response to that stunning momentum shift after half time from Connacht was to get back to basics, take full control of possession and return to what they do best and before long they were back in front thanks to a try from the outstanding Cian Kelleher after sustained pressure. By the end they would hold onto a five point advantage and secure the bonus point win. Ulster were shell shocked.

Here was a Connacht team forced into six changes from the one that beat Edinburgh the previous week because of injuries and with the need for another change after just a handful of minutes when Eoin McKeon had to be replaced by James Connolly. Decimated by this bad luck but determined to stick to the game plan regardless of personal issues.

That’s why this win was so impressive. Over the course of the game, Connacht owned the ball with 61% possession. They dominated in open play, making 434 metres with ball in hand to Ulster’s 253. Ulster were forced into making 156 tackles while Connacht had to make 88. There were more offloads, defenders beaten and clean line breaks too.

That led to tries early on, the first came within 100 seconds of the kick off. It set the tone and gave them a platform. Dave Heffernan’s barnstorming break set up position, a few phases later, Jack Carty dropped the shoulder and nipped inside the defence to score under the posts.

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