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Leinster 33
Connacht 7
Connacht crushed Leinster in the RDS final tonight, completely crushing their hopes of reaching the URC quarter-finals.
The five-to-one score was a true reflection of Leinster’s ability to convert possession and Connacht’s failure to convert possession despite having plenty of possession and territory.
Although Pete Wilkins’ men will lament their failure to capitalise on their chances, Leinster’s defence was outstanding, racking up 152 tackles.
Connacht, missing several key players including Mike Hansen and Bondy Akey, also had a poor first half and poor execution. They trailed 21-0 with 25 minutes to go, lacking clinical efficiency and composure in possession, while Leinster started with a quick and ferocious tempo, scoring three early touchdowns.
As a result, the visitors were only able to get out to their opponents’ 22-yard line for brief spells and made too many mistakes, which was exacerbated by Leinster conceding little defensively.
The hosts needed five points to stay in contention for a home quarter-final spot if the other results went in their favour, and they had already scored three tries in the first quarter.
They struck in the eighth minute, taking advantage of a counter-attack when Jack Conan broke through the Connacht backline after a scrum, before Sam Prendergast added another goal.
In the 17th minute of the match, Jimmy O’Brien got his second try, this time again coming from a first period ball, aided by key player Prendergast, who feinted before slipping the ball past the Leinster defender.
Prendergast and Conan also played a big role in Ciaran Frawley’s third before Connacht gained some momentum. Although Leinster did well to read Jack Carty’s shot from the wing, Connacht were not far from the goal line a few minutes later, thanks in large part to Dave Heffernan. Cian Prendergast did well but the chance was wasted when Sean O’Brien found himself unsteady on his feet,
A few minutes later, David Hawkshaw and Santiago Cordero had the best chance, but Cian Prendergast, standing on the touchline, failed to score and lost the ball, leaving the score at 21-0 at the end of the first half.
In order to preserve their dignity, Connacht made Leinster work harder in the second half. Cordero’s performance was impressive. But for the Leinster players, a great kick from the Argentine could have led to a goal if he was in the right place at the right time. He showed his skill time and again – something Connacht fans can look forward to next season.
Substitute Jack Aungier managed to deny Leinster a touchdown and Wilkins’ men were unable to deny Leinster an early bonus point, while Connacht continued to thwart the home side’s attacks on numerous occasions.
Substitute Bryan Ralston added momentum and again stopped Leinster in their tracks, while Connacht were given a standing ovation when they eventually gained possession through Cian Prendergast.
Play continued at a stoppage time as Michael Ala’Alatoa was booked for a foul at the end of the period, but it was only a matter of time before the home side got their fourth try and bonus point. Ross Maloney collected the ball and then struck it, with Sheehan bursting from behind and diving for the top score.
However, Connacht scored a brilliant consolation point. Shane Jennings’s drive down the touchline and through ball to the supporting Conor Oliver was the key strike, with Colm Reilly scoring in the 64th minute, his first senior touchdown and Connacht’s first of the game, before Daly scored.
However, Jimmy O’Brien eventually took his chance, found a gap and slotted home Leinster’s fifth try in the 74th minute.
It was a difficult end to the season for Connacht.
Leinster: Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien, Jamie Osborne, Ciaran Frawley, Rob Russell, Sam Prendergast, Cormac Foley, Ed Byrne, Ronan Kelleher, Thomas Clarkson, Ross Moloney, Brian Deeney, Reece Ruddock, Scott Penny (C), Jack Conan.
Subs: Max Degan for Conan (40), Ryan Baird for Ruddock (49), Michael Milne for Burn, Michael Alaalatoa for Clarkson (both 52), Luke McGrath for Russell (57), Harry Burn for Frawley (62), Charlie Ngatai for O’Brien (68), Brian Clarkson for Deeney (59-68),
Connacht team: Santiago Cordero, Sean Jennings, David Hawkshaw, Cathal Forde, Sean Malone, Jack Carty (C), Colin Blade, Peter Dooley, Dave Heffernan, Finlay Bilham, Joe Joyce, Neil Murray, Sean Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Sean Jensen.
Subs: Colm Ryan for Blades (12-25), Denis Buckley for Dooley, Jack Aungier for Bealham (HT), Byron Ralston for Mallon (43), Darragh Murray for Joyce, Tom Daly for Carty (both 50), Colm Reilly for Blades (58), Dylan Tierney-Martin for Heffernan (69).
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