A dull, turgid, error-ridden scrap occasionally punctuated by cameos of rugby, last night's Guinness interprovincial championship clash at Donnybrook was a hugely disappointing affair. Three players sin binned and Connacht captain Mark McConnell sent off for illegal use of the boot underlined the combative nature of proceedings that overshadowed the rugby.
Both teams were guilty of indiscipline, their frustration palpable at the fussy interpretation of the rules by referee Gareth Doyle. His constant whistling ensured a stop-start affair which denied fluency to the game. Doyle though can hardly be blamed for the multiple errors of the respective teams, particularly Leinster who lacked the patience and control to convert good approach work into scores.
Leinster coach Matt Williams conceded: "We were our own worst enemies. We were creating space but found it hard to be patient. I was very unhappy with the two sin bins. You can not afford to be short-handed for 20 minutes in a game. It was a frustrating evening. I suppose the good points were that we got three tries to blot and when we occasionally got into gear enjoyed passages of fine play."
Connacht were wonderfully obdurate, sucking Leinster into a physical confrontation up front and denying them quick ball with some heavy tackling. None epitomised this aggression more than flanker Ian Dillon and he was superbly supported by his pack in general. The main stumbling point for the visitors was a lack of potency behind the scrum.
Four minutes into the match a fine break from Eric Elwood allowed the supporting second row Damien Browne to put full back Willie Ruane clear 20 metres from the Leinster line. Denis Hickie did remarkably well to catch Ruane and turn him on his back as the pair tumbled over the line and into touch and goal.
Connacht were never again afforded the freedom of the Leinster 22. The only other time they threatened a try was when the impressively mobile South African Marnus Uijs thundered into the opposing 22 after a 30-metre run but was tackled by Girvan Dempsey five metres from the line. The visitors should also reflect on a lack of control in the set scrums: the Leinster eight turned over the put-in on half-a-dozen occasions.
Much of Leinster's problems were self induced. Australian outhalf Nathan Turner showed that his conversion from a full back may take a little longer, and along with an edgy Brian O'Meara struggled to promote the strong running of centres Shane Horgan and Peter McKenna.
It was McKenna's brilliant break that led to Leinster's first try on 21 minutes. Hickie and D'Arcy looked sharp, the former grabbing an opportunist try. Up front Victor Costello made huge yardage and put in some fine defensive hits.
Trevor Brennan's introduction for Miller at half-time along with the arrival of Peter Smyth and Leo Cullen in the second half improved the home side's fortunes. Elwood's brace of penalties came either side of a try by Costello, who was sent clear by Emmet Byrne.
Miller was sin binned on 18 minutes for foul play on Uijs, similarly reprimanded for a punch on Liam Toland eight minutes from the interval. Elwood and Dempsey swapped penalties after the restart before the game's pivotal moment arrived when McConnell was sent off after the intervention of a touch judge on 54 minutes.
Elwood's two penalties to Dempsey's one gave Connacht a 15-11 lead and the scent of victory but this was emphatically dashed when Smyth set up a ruck and was then on hand to race over in the corner. Leinster ensured victory one minute from time when Hickie crossed in the corner, again exploiting Connacht coach Steph Nel's decision to take off left wing Denver Rumney and replace him with a forward, Colm Rigney.
Connacht can take a great deal out of this match, not least the commitment and attitude shown. However, they need to find a little polish. Leinster will console themselves with the thought that they can't play as badly again, for if they do Munster will not be as accommodating.
LEINSTER: G Dempsey; D Hickie, P McKenna, S Horgan, G D'Arcy; N Turner, B O'Meara; R Corrigan, S Byrne, E Byrne; R Casey, M O'Kelly; E Miller, V Costello, L Toland (capt). Replacements: T Brennan for Miller half-time; L Cullen for Casey 66 mins; P Smyth for S Byrne 67 mins; M McHugh for Turner 67 mins.
CONNACHT: W Ruane; P Duignan, M Smyth, M Murphy, D Rumney; E Elwood, J Ferris; J Screene, M Uijs, M Cahill; M McConnell (capt), D Browne; I Dillon, J Charlie, J O'Connor. Replacements: C Rigney for Rumney 58 mins; M Swift for Dillon 67 mins; S McIvor for Ferris 69 mins.
Referee: G Doyle (IRFU).
Sin binned: E Miller (Leinster 18-28 mins), B Casey (Leinster 56-66 mins), M Uijs (Connacht 32-42 mins).
Sent off: M McConnell (Connacht).
Michael Cosgrave is resigning as coach of Lansdowne for family reasons. "I'm going to take a year out of the game," confirmed Cosgrave yesterday, after guiding the club to the All-Ireland League final in his second season as coach last May. He will stay on for another couple of weeks to assist Lansdowne as they seek to name a replacement.
