Sparkling Connacht secure a place in league play-offs

Connacht 38

Cardiff 19

JOHN FALLON at the Sportsground

BUNDEE Aki, back to his brilliant best to guide Connacht into the knockout stages of the URC, said he owed that performance to the fans who have stuck with him during a disruptive season at the Sportsground.

Aki, who turned 33 earlier this month, made only his seventh appearance of the season for Connacht on Saturday night — the same number he clocked up last season — and his first at the Sportsground since last December.

But he marked the occasion with a man of the match display as Connacht made it six wins on the spin in the URC — they have won ten of their last 14 in the competition — to book a knockout spot and give themselves a chance of qualifying for the Champions Cup.

“I felt I owed it to the fans, especially the Connacht fans who have been so loyal to me and my family and it was only right for me to come out here and put in a performance.

“The last time I played at home was December last year, so it was nice to be able to come out here and put a performance on for the fans. They fully deserved it. And I feel glad for the boys who helped out throughout the week and we will go on from there.”

And he paid tribute to the players leaving Connacht this season, not least scrum-half Kieran Marmion who ended 12 years at the Sportsground by scoring their sixth try against Cardiff.

“There are a few leaving us here who are going to be sorely missed. The likes of Kieran Marmion, there was no prouder moment to cross the line and you could tell what he brings to the team and particularly the likes of Shane Delahunt and the other boys.

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

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