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Gutsy and Composed display in Dax
By Rob Murphy
October 13 2008
www.KNOCKON.ie has teamed up with ICRSC.com to allow match reports and previews from Connacht games to be viewed on the Connacht Supporters Site, our thanks go to Rob Murphy at knockon.ie for this. In the first of these, Rob reports on events in Dax as Connacht took on the local side in the first group game of the European Challenge Cup 2008-09.

Dax 12 Connacht 30

The Connacht team acknowledge their travelling support after a hard earned, but richly deserved victory. 

 

A clinical and impressive second half comeback gave Connacht a richly deserved opening day win in the Challenge Cup away to Dax on a warm and clear Friday night in the south of France.

If Connacht do emerge from this pool in January this victory may well be looked upon as pivotal, as the westerners, buoyed by last week's surprise victory over Leinster, scored 23 unanswered points in the second half against their lively opponents.

A John Muldoon try had edged Connacht into an early first half lead but the home side had hit back with two tries mid-way through the half from full back Laurent Diaz and winger Bruno Hiriart to move 12-7 ahead before half time.

After the break Connacht returned to the field looking determined to gain control of a scrappy and wild contest and duly did so, initially through the boot of the superb Ian Keatley before Johnny O'Connor scored the westerners second try to help his side regain the lead.

The score stemmed from a Keatley Garryowen that was collected by O'Connor on half way and was recycled rapidly allowing Gavin Duffy to break. The outside centre made 30 metres before eventually being dragged down but he had the composure to pop out of the tackle to the supporting O'Connor for a superb try.

Keatley kicked the conversion and despite much good natured derision from the home support - for his unorthodox kicking style, which involves a series of squats as he lines up each attempt - the young Connacht out-half slotted over two further long range penalties much to the delight of the vocal travelling support from the west.

Connacht were almost home and hosed at that stage with just twelve minutes remaining, however, they were forced to see out the final seven minutes without their inspirational captain, Muldoon, after he was sin binned for hands in the ruck in his own 22.

For the rest of this story please go to www.knockon.ie  


Courtesy of Rob Murphy @ Knockon.ie

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Gutsy and Composed display in Dax
Posted by: Connacht Rugby Supporters (IP Logged)
Date: 12/10/2008 23:03

Gutsy and Composed display in Dax

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Re: Gutsy and Composed display in Dax
Posted by: tohellorto (IP Logged)
Date: 13/10/2008 08:31

Rob's reports are always worth reading. Rob is passionate about Connacht rugby, and he tells things as they are, when going well he'll say it, bit more importantly, when not going well, he's not afraid to criticise. This honesty in his reporting puts Rob, miles ahead of what we read in the Advertiser, where there seems to be a cosy relationship betweeen the branch and this publication.

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Re: Gutsy and Composed display in Dax
Posted by: diom (IP Logged)
Date: 13/10/2008 08:53

Rob? Is that you?

winking smiley

jk

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Re: Gutsy and Composed display in Dax
Posted by: GubRugby (IP Logged)
Date: 13/10/2008 09:08

we have to do the 'Keatley Kink' on Friday, too much fun not to!

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Re: Gutsy and Composed display in Dax
Posted by: lgwt@castlebar (IP Logged)
Date: 13/10/2008 18:31

It's a must. Gotta get a gang behind those of us who were over there...ie The Founder Members of the Keatley Kink. Sure we'll sing about that as auld fellas too.

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