Ulster 13 Connacht 10
"Watch your laptop this could go anywhere," goes a local scribe as Paddy Jackson aimed a penalty down the tramline.
A recurring theme then.
Anyone experiencing low levels of self confidence can relate to Jackson at the moment. Anyone part of a cleverly coached sports team can relate to Connacht under Pat Lam.
A bounce of the ball, or the referee’s interpretation, can change the direction of any player’s season. Be it for better or worse. Here, Jackson, in front of his own people full up on festive cheer, at least got some respite in that Neil Doak didn’t replace him with Ian Humphreys. Ultimately he guided them to victory but Ian Keatley and Ian Madigan were the winners here.
It was Connacht who started with a slickness that's become the hallmark of Lam's western outfit. In many ways it mirrors Ireland of late; being smaller and under-resourced in comparison to the established elite, they must be smarter in attack, unbendable in defence, ruthless on opposition errors.
If they had ironed out their own mistakes they should have won.
“Definitely,” Lam agreed.
Jack Carty’s penalty did give them into an early lead with their pack impressive despite losing Ronan Loughney to a back injury and Quinn Roux in the warm-up.
Jackson put the restart out on the full. After two more sloppy kicks from hand he got a chance to level matters up off the tee. He missed.
Abrasive mood
But it was his bravery, coupled with Craig Gilroy’s eel-like quality, which ensured a 10-3 half-time lead. That and the carrying of Ulster’s backrow, where Roger Wilson was in a typically abrasive mood on his 300th professional appearance, brought matters up to Connacht’s 22 where Jackson took a crunching tackle from Dave McSharry a millisecond after releasing Gilroy on his inside shoulder.
The winger, spinning and stepping out of four tackles, really should have been grounded but Lam noted the space was created by Carty being taken out illegally.
Jackson belted over the conversion only to miss a more difficult penalty moments later.
Connacht had one more foray into Ulster territory but a thunderous hit by Dan Tuohy stalled their momentum before Rob Herring relieved them of possession entirely.
During the break Rory McIlroy strolled onto the field with the Claret Jug. Twenty-five years of age now now, this was a stellar year for the Holywood native, capturing both the British Open and PGA titles. It should be remembered that Jackson’s still only 22. McIlroy could tell him – the yips will pass.
Eventually.
In stark contrast the ball was flowing off Carty's right foot. Not quite to the level of Robbie Henshaw – rested here along with Ulster's Rory Best and Tommy Bowe – he looks a real prospect nonetheless.
Problem was this game sailed close to farce due to the number of unforced errors. Mostly from Connacht hands. Twice the ball was flung straight into touch. Willie Faloon and John Cooney were the guilty parties but it was as much a communication breakdown as individual errors.
Regardless, they were never going to close the gap on Ulster with this showing. Instead Ulster skip past Leinster, into fourth place, after their comprehensive beating in Limerick.
Jackson, following sustained pressure, finally kicked them two scores clear. If only they were all under the posts.
Victory, however, didn’t come easy with Connacht storming back through their driving maul as Aly Muldowney fell over the line. Carty converted and, after a terrible spectacle, we had a decent finale.
But Ulster, thanks to some late calls in their favour and a turnover by the excellent Stuart Olding, survived.
ULSTER: L Ludik; C Gilroy, D Cave, L Marshall, P Nelson, P Jackson, P Marshall; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F van der Merwe, R Diack, C Ross, R Wilson. Replacements: D Fitzpatrick for W Herbst (56 mins), A O’Connor for F van der Merwe, S Reidy for R Diack (both 60 mins), J Andrew for R Wilson (68 mins). CONNACHT: D Leader; D Poolman, B Aki, D McSharry, M Healy; J Carty, J Cooney; D Buckley, T McCarthy, F Bealham; Q Roux, A Muldowney; J Muldoon (capt), W Faloon, G Naoupu. Replacements: M Muliaina for D Leader (48 mins), K Marmion for JJ Cooney (58 mins), R Ah You for F Bealham (68 mins), C Ronaldson for J Carty (69 mins), A Browne for U Dillane (71 mins), JP Cooney for D Buckley (77 mins). Referee: J Lacey (IRFU)
