Connacht's Heineken Cup dream moves a step closer

Keith Kelly

Connacht’s season took on a more promising look at the weekend – and it did so without Eric Elwood’s side even having to tog out.

The wins by Leinster in the quarter finals of the Heineken Cup, and Munster at the same stage in the Challenge Cup, means Connacht’s dream of playing in the Heineken Cup for the first-time ever has taken a step closer to becoming reality.

If either of the two Irish provinces win those respective competitions, then the IRFU will be entitled to an additional place in next season’s Heineken Cup, so Connacht fans will be in the blue and the red corners for the rest of the European campaigns.

Munster would appear to have the easier task, and have been installed as odds-on favourites to win the Challenge Cup for the first-time, after defeating Brive 42-37 in a rip-roaring contest at the weekend.

They have been handed a home semi-final against London Harlequins, who are sixth in the English Aviva Premiership, in Thomond Park on Saturday April 30. The winners will face the winners of the all-French affair in the other semi-final between Stade Francais and Clermot Auvergne, which will be played 24 hours earlier.

Connacht have two bites of the cherry for Heineken Cup qualification, and if Munster fail to justify their favourites’ tag, Elwood’s side will still qualify for the top European competition if Leinster land their second Heineken Cup in three years.

Their task looks more difficult than that of their southern counterparts as, while they will also enjoy a home semi-final, it is against the four-time winners and defending champions, Stade Toulousain, who defeated Biarritz in extra-time at the weekend in a thrilling rematch of last year’s Heineken Cup final.

The French club won the first-ever running of the competition, back in the 1995/96 season, and have contested five of the last eight finals, and will be looking to extend that run to six finals in nine years when they line-out at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday April 30.

If Leinster manage to see off the challenge of the French giants, they will face either Northampton or Perpignan in the final in Cardiff - both finals are being played in the Welsh capital this year.

That should all lead to a magical atmosphere in the Sportsground this Friday night when Elwood’s side host the Cardiff Blues in the Magners League in their last home game of the season, and Connacht have designated the event as a Family Fun Day.

The game kicks-off at 7.45pm, but gates will open at 6pm with people invited to turn up early and take part in the wide range of activities which will take place on the adjacent training pitch. There will be giant board games, bouncing castles and a range of other activities, and a marquee will be erected for parents.

Players who will not be involved in the game will be milling around in the crowd, and the fun continues after the game with an entertainment programme planned. A special family ticket will be available for the game costing €30, which will grant admission to two adults and two children. Tickets are available from Connacht’s offices at the Sportsground, or from Ticketmaster.