Connacht 15
Sale Sharks 5
Caomhán O’Connell reports from Dubarry Park
CONNACHT CLAIMED THEIR first pre-season win with a sufficient but sometimes stuttering performance against Sale Sharks in Dubarry Park. Outscoring their opponents three tries to one, Connacht shaded it in every department with their steadfast defence and attacking continuity proving the difference in a competitive encounter.
Connacht set up early camp in the Sale 22′ and got an ideal start when Conor Oliver bulldozed over from close range in the fourth minute. After Conor McLaughlin pushed the extras wide, Sale wrestled back the territory. There they met a determined Connacht rearguard who withstood some punishing Sale carries to keep their line intact for the first quarter.
For all their grit, Connacht could scarcely escape their own half. Early season rustiness told as an uneasy stalemate broke out with the two sides trading penalties. Both were guilty of handling errors and transgressions at the breakdown. As a result, the 5-0 scoreline would remarkably last until the 40th minute.
Connacht had a rare foray forward. Kieran Marmion sniped brilliantly around the ruck, he was followed through the gap by Peter Dooley and Gavin Thornbury who carried, offloaded and recycled five metres out. Fitzgerald then found academy wing Josh O’Connor who battled over on his first senior appearance to make it 10-0 for the Westerners at the break.
The intensity ratcheted up after the turnaround but the scrappiness persisted. Marmion and Fitzgerald carried well and cajoled their back line. Up front, Connacht established their maul even as they emptied their bench. It would provide the platform for Marmion to dot down in the corner midway through the second only for John Porch’s pass to be ruled forward.
Points were scarce despite Connacht’s growing dominance as Fitzgerald sought touch at every penalty opportunity. The tactic was eventually rewarded when another kick to the corner was capitalised on. Sub hooker Eoin De Buitléar threw to the middle, joined at the back and re-emerged at the bottom of the maul with the ball touched down.
After shipping 57 in Castres on Wednesday with an admittedly different XV, a shutout would nonetheless have been welcomed. Alas, it wasn’t to be as Sale’s replacement hooker Tommy Taylor responded to his counterpart as Sale pushed over from close distance. It was a reward for their industry but Connacht’s craft carried the day.
Scorers for Connacht: Tries: C Oliver, J O’Connor, E de Buitléar.
Scores for Sale Sharks: Try: T Taylor.
Connacht: Tiernan O’Halloran (Colm Reilly 58); Shane Jennings, Tom Farrell, Shayne Bolton (Josh O’ Connor 14), John Porch; Conor Fitzgerald, Kieran Marmion; Peter Dooley (Jordan Duggan 58), Dylan Tierney-Martin (Eoin De Buitlear 67), Jack Aungie (Sam Illor 58); Josh Murphy (Darragh Murray 58), Gavin Thornbury; Jarrad Butler (c) (Oisin McCormack 27), Conor Oliver, Paul Boyle (Donnacha Byrne 67)
Sale Sharks: Luke James, Byron McGuigan, Sam James, Connor Doherty, Aaron Reed (Tom O’ Flaherty 53); Rob Du Preez, Joe Simpson (Gus Warr 49); Ross Harrison (Simon McIntyre 49), Akker VD Merwe (Tommy Taylor 53), Nick Schonert (Coenie Oosthuizen 49); Cobus Wiese, Mat Postlewhaite; Jean-Luc De Preez, Ben Curry, Dan Du Preez
Referee: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)