Leinster pack too much power for young Connacht

With two minutes remaining in this New Year’s Day tussle, 19 year old Eoin McKeon popped a brilliantly disguised pass back inside to 20 year old Dermot Murphy, who made 30 metres and found Andrew Browne on his shoulder. The flanker linked well with Dylan Rogers and Eoin Griffin was on hand to finish.  

That was a ray of light in an otherwise totally depressing Christmas period for Connacht. Four of those five players were born in Connacht, nurtured in Connacht clubs and have come through the Connacht Academy.  

That they were part of a losing team came down to a number of issues, some key injuries played a part but this game was lost in part due to a poor on-field game plan, a typical lack of composure when scores were on offer and numerous unforced errors at key junctures. 

More importantly, though, the game was lost because even without their frontline internationals, Leinster possess the kind of class in their backline that the westerners can only dream of having at the moment.  

The outcome was in the balance at half time with the scoreline at 8-3 yet it felt dead in the water and similar to so many games that have gone before. Connacht had owned the ball but lacked incisiveness. Leinster had picked off a try from young winger Dave Kearney on their first attack thrown in three points more on another and withstood whatever Connacht had from there on.  

It was 11-3 early in the second half when a Connacht lineout and powerful maul briefly raised hopes of a comeback. The surge took them 20 metres closer to the line but as they broke off the back of the still moving drive, a sloppy pass went to ground and another chance was gone.  

Leinster won a penalty from the scrum, kicked to touch on half way, attacked with an incisive move through the centre involving Shaun Berne, Kearney and Eoin O’Malley and scored, through Kearney again, two phases later after a blistering attack. That was 18-3 and game over.  

To their credit Connacht showed plenty of defiance before the next try. Eric Elwood’s men just don’t lie down in games this season even when frustration is at its highest. Leinster had to work their socks off for the third try scored by the tremendous Fergus McFadden, the fourth score from Niall Morris was a little too easy however, it came minutes later.  

Circumstances are certainly working against the Connacht coach, the loss of Ray Ofisa has been keenly felt especially in the loose. His ball carrying and off shoulder runs are instrumental to Connacht’s attacking play and have been missed since his October injury. He has another two weeks on the sideline.  

John Muldoon’s injury plagued season is another key problem while Gavin Duffy’s influence on the side is clearer than ever in his absence. Connacht’s counter attack against Leinster was almost non existent and no side can win without that aspect to their game plan.  

Elwood was keen to point out the positive influence of his young guns and rightly so. Browne has made the number six jersey his own in recent games and was once again a shining light. The performance of Irish under 20 McKeon was another huge positive. Throw in an impressive 80 minutes from Eoin Griffin returning from injury and a fine cameo from the bench from hooker Dermot Murphy who threw well in the lineout and made a great break for the try and you have something to feel positive about.  

However, it might be a while before Connacht can end this losing run, the Dragons on Thursday means the Magners League Fixture makers have left the westerners facing three games in just eleven days. That’s a situation that has Elwood fuming this week, the second time this has happened this season.  

It would be a remarkable achievement for an injury hit squad to even take a bonus point there leaving them with a month off from league action before the Scarlets visit in February. Two European games lie in between with little at stake and a chance to experiment.  

The season isn’t all done just yet and the six home games still in store are all genuine opportunities but there is a gloomy feeling in the air after a run of eight games without a win and no sign of that changing any time soon. Tough times.