The Sportsground rocks as Warriors put to the sword

Glasgow 11

Did you ever think you’d see a day like this at the Sportsground? Say what you like about incremental progress, smart signings, a well-established hugely successful academy, the ground improvements, the expansion of administrative staff, better marketing.

Say what you like about all of that.

Did you ever think you’d witness a match, an atmosphere, a result like this for a Connacht Rugby team in such a big game, against such a star-studded opponent, at the penultimate hurdle of such a successful season? There are more than likely great days ahead, and the past has had some good days too, but don’t underestimate what this result has done for sport and rugby in the West of Ireland.

This was pressure, the kind of pressure that has sprung up more than once since Christmas. A run of four defeats around the New Year helped create a must-win backdrop for the home games against the Scarlets, Ospreys, Leinster, Munster, Glasgow, and Glasgow again. Each game was hailed as a defining fixture, each game was looked upon as nothing more than a one-score contest and each game yielded the same result. A win for Connacht.

Time and time again this season, Connacht have stood up to be counted. The foundations for this come from a bustling academy, producing players at a faster rate than could be reasonably expected for well over eight years now. The Eric Elwood regime provided a base, a platform of being competitive in Europe’s best competition, and then came Pat Lam with his philosophies, mantras, and a love for a challenge. What a three years it has been.

As John Muldoon led his side out for this challenge on Saturday, all doubt had dissipated. This was a massive moment for the province, only a fifth-ever semi-final in any competition, and a chance to go further than ever before. Too much had gone before to stop now. There was an air of pressure, but a sense of confidence oozing from the players into the stands, and from the supporters in the stands back onto the field.

The first half was largely one-way traffic, Connacht topped 70% in territory and possession, had five times as many line breaks, missed a third as many tackles and scored the half’s only try, as well as a having a second struck-off.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.