Long wait is over as Connacht win on the road for first time in over two years
Date Published: {J}
Rob Murphy
One word encapsulates this ground breaking victory for Connacht at the Firhill Arena on Friday night: control. Eric Elwood’s charges are oozing that characteristic at the moment.
Three stirring and hugely impressive Magners League games into the season and 10 points have been secured. The westerners lie in fourth place in the table and are looking for more.
The level of self control to their play is at the heart of this incredible start to the campaign. This win wasn’t about heart or putting bodies on the line, it wasn’t greeted with wild celebrations either. It was born out of a confidence in the game plan, a trust in the defensive strategy and a propensity to take their opportunities.
Connacht are playing like a side that expects to be in fourth place in the table, that’s what is most impressive. Eric Elwood’s regime is making early changes and laying an early season foundation that few of the province’s sides have managed in nine years of Celtic League rugby.
Ian Keatley’s 73rd minute penalty on Friday night kicked Connacht to their first away win in two and half years in this competition and copper fastened his side’s best start to a campaign since 2001. Last season it took the westerners all of six months to break the 10-point mark in a February bonus point defeat to the Ospreys, so just three weeks this time around speaks volumes.
There were nervy moments at times on Friday, and for a split second late on it looked like more last gasp heartbreak was on the way as Duncan Weir lined up a drop goal and memories of the Scarlets defeat six days previous came flooding back. The Connacht charge to block was ferocious and might just have put him off, as the kick drifted wide.
Connacht hands burst into the air, hugs all round and one emotional half way line huddle followed but that was it. The side walked off with their heads held high but with minds firmly set on Ulster this weekend.The game started with a bang for the Warriors and one wondered if the exertions of the previous week in Wales were starting to tell on the visitors. Ruaridh Jackson kicked three points before a wave of attacks on the Connacht line led to Graeme Morrision scoring in the corner after sharp hands from Jackson.
For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.