Connacht have beaten Leinster three of the last four times the two sides have met.
The westerners are on the brink of the Guinness PRO12 semis after a stunning, resolute 7-6 win over Leinster at The Sportsground this evening.
This is not a drill. It has not been a drill for a long time but, gradually, more and more people are starting to believe.
Pat Lam said he wanted to make Connacht the best side in Ireland, then Europe, when he arrived in 2013. Very, very few believed him.
Kieran Marmion got the fantastic, converted try but it was staunch defence that truly won it. Denis Buckley, Eoin McKeon [23 tackles] and Bundee Aki stood out but, in truth, every single Connacht player was a hero.
In the final three minutes, Connacht survived 26 phases – most of them within a yard of their line – before they got through three re-set scrums and another Leinster burst on the left wing. A turnover was secured with mere seconds on the clock.
Connacht soaked up the final seconds and when the ball was kicked out, and the final whistle sounded, the roar in Galway could be heard all the way over in Dublin. Carried on a strong win with loud, proud voices.
Connacht had the wind in the first half and will have been disappointed with not going in more than 7-0 up at the break.
After a wild, feisty start, Connacht hit the front when Niyi Adeolokun chipped over the top of the pressing Leinster defence. The ball took a halting bounce and allowed Marmion to dive and touch down ahead of Luke McGrath.
AJ MacGinty converted but missed a penalty soon after. Home fans would have enjoyed the larger cushion in the second half but they held on.
Lam’s men are on the brink of the semi finals and automatic Champions Cup qualification. Given the commitment and verve they have displayed all season, they deserve every bit of success they get.
