Connacht raise the roof in thrashing Munster to secure Pro12 semi final place
IT’S official: Connacht are no longer the ‘poor relation’ of Irish rugby.
Saturday’s stunning try-bonus win over Munster at a sold-out, rocking Sportsground has confirmed it.
This hasn’t come as a surprise to followers who have tracked the province’s progress during this remarkable season, or the few that preceded it, but it’s worth reminding ourselves what exactly Pat Lam’s charges have achieved.
Ordinarily beating mighty Munster by 21 points is reason enough to celebrate but this meant more than bragging rights in an interprovincial derby.
Coming from a position where Connacht was eight points down, 6-14, after 20 minutes, to then hit their neighbours for 29 unanswered points in the next hour, makes it even more impressive. What a comeback!
But the real pleasing aspect was that this wasn’t a dead-rubber of a game. This was as close to knock-out rugby as it gets. It was cup-final stuff; well, for the visitors at least.
Munster were desperate for a win – the loss could prove fatal in their struggle for a top-six finish, and result in the ignominy of playing Challenge Cup next season.
Imagine all that was at stake, and it was Connacht who came out trumps; Connacht who rose to the occasion; Connacht who carried the day – and so convincingly.
Much has been written about the demise of Munster rugby on and off field this season, and most of it is correct. It’s a bit of a mess right now down in Thomond Park.
But let that not take away from the Westerners’ fairytale. And let’s not fall into the trap of pitying Munster either – rugby fans in the Western outpost are all too aware of the destructiveness of being patronised by other provinces.
For the record, here’s the significance of this 35-14 result: for the first time in the 20-years history of the Champions Cup (formerly Heineken Cup) Connacht has qualified for the top European club competition off their own steam, and not through favours from the other three provinces.
The records just keep tumbling. By beating Anthony Foley’s men at College Road, Connacht secured their first-ever ‘double’ over the southerners, following up on the earlier win in Limerick.
Never before have they accumulated 68 league points – or anything close to it. Never before have they won 14 league games – and it could have been more.
For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.