Carty calls the shots as Connacht come up trumps in epic struggle
Inside Track with John McIntyre
IT’S the high stakes matches which define a team’s reputation; the ones which you can’t afford to lose. Resurgent Connacht faced that scenario at the Sportsground last Saturday and over 6,000 fans flocked to the College Road venue to see if Andy Friend’s squad could deliver in their hour of need.
It was a match between two equally ambitious teams with their respective seasons on the line. Visitors Cardiff had everything to play for as well. Like Connacht, they had made significant progress during the PRO14 campaign and would have needed no introduction to the anticipated levels of intensity that the hosts would bring to the battleground.
Connacht were also aware that Cardiff were travelling fully-loaded. It set the scene for a mighty struggle for supremacy on a day when the driving wind had a major impact on the proceedings. The hits were hard; there was no holding back; and for long stretches the outcome of the game was in the balance. Ultimately, it was Connacht who were celebrating at the end. They had Jack Carty: Cardiff didn’t.
The Athlone man was already enjoying his best season on the Connacht colours – a series of quality displays saw him capped for Ireland in the recent Six Nations. Nobody has ever doubted Carty’s ability, bravery or desire, but the jury had been out on his game management. Well, these doubts have long since been kicked to the touch as the Connacht out-half is now arguably the most improved player in Irish rugby.
His confidence is also at an all-time high as underlined by that audacious cross-field kick from inside his own 22 in the opening half which almost set up a try, only for Tom Farrell to spill the ball forward in attempting to put Matt Healy in the clear. Carty didn’t allow two missed penalties in the difficult conditions to affect him either, while his sideline conversion of Gavin Thornbury’s try in the 27th minute was outstanding.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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