Connacht become Pro12 champions for the first time in their history after a 20-10 win over Leinster at Murrayfield. They took full advantage and, swinging play across the front of the defence, they put Sean Cronin in space and through for the try, accompanied by a chorus of “boos” from those who thought the match should have been stopped for the injury.
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Connacht’s first-ever major tournament win was celebrated in style with the team parading the trophy on an open-top bus through the city at 4pm.
However, the only nerves on show came from the pre-match favourites, who fumbled their way through the first 40 minutes.
But once Connacht got going, it wasnt long before they grabbed the opening try. Rob Kearney will be a welcome return and a direct replacement for the New Zealand born Nacewa, while Ireland global Devon Toner will be absent for personal reasons in the second-row, so Ross Molony and Mick Kearney will make up an inexperienced second-row pairing.
Connacht: T O’Halloran; N Adeolokun, R Henshaw, B Aki, M Healy; AJ MacGinty, K Marmion; R Loughney, T McCartney, F Bealham; U Dillane, A Muldowney; E McKeon, J Heenan, J Muldoon (capt).
Despite conceding three points, Connacht continued to dictate the play and nearly got what would have been a match winning third try. The Nigerian winger was by no means clean through but his chip-and-chase was perfectly executed as he darted home for the 22nd minute score.
MacGinty pulled his attempt at the extras wide but made amends with a penalty soon after.
However, the green waves continued to crash forward.
Connacht almost had a third try on 52 minutes when hooker Tom McCartney burst through the Leinster defence and made 30 metres but as he crossed the whitewash Sexton was able to prevent him from grounding the ball.
MacGinty’s goal-kicking, though, was not quite as accurate as he smashed the conversion against the upright.
Leinster were a shadow of the side who forced themselves past Ulster last weekend, squandering possession against an opposition who went into this one as underdogs.
It looked like business as usual from the former Champions as they went on the offensive from the start and pushed Connacht deep into their 22.
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Matt Healy’s 10th try of the campaign then cancelled out Jonathan Sexton’s lone penalty and despite a converted effort from replacement Sean Cronin, Leinster were very much second best on the day.
