Leinster 26
Connacht 18
Two late tries deprived Connacht of what would have been the best week ever in the province's history as Leinster came with a late surge to seal the points at the RDS on Friday night.

Connacht seemed poised to follow up their outstanding 12-6 win over Heineken Cup champions Munster five days earlier by completing the double over Leinster in the Magners League this season.

Connacht led 18-14 with less than ten minutes remaining as Ian Keatley, who kicked all the points in the win over Munster, laned six penalties.

But Connacht's hopes were smashed as Leinster came with a late surge with tries from Irish internationals Rob Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald snatching victory.

Connacht led three times despite an early Trevor Hogan try for Leinster, with Keatley's boot hauling Connacht back into contention. Leinster led 14-12 at the break before Keatley put Connacht in front and his sixth kick saw Michael Bradley's men lead 18-14 with time running out.

However Connacht's hopes were dashed when Kearney crossed and they were denied a bonus point when Fitzgerald scored a controversial try in the dying moments.

Leinster: R Kearney; G D'Arcy, L Fitzgerald, F Contepomi, Si Keogh; I Nacewa, C Whitaker; R McCormack, J Fogarty, S Wright; T Hogan, C Jowitt; R Elsom, S Jennings, St Keogh. Replacements: M O'Kelly for Hogan, 49mins; C Healy for McCormack, 51mins; R McCormack for St Keogh, 54mins; B O'Driscoll for Si Keogh, 56mins; S O'Brien for McCormack, 62mins; S Horgan for Kearney, 71mins; C Keane for Whitaker, 77mins.

Connacht: F Carr; T Nathan, N Ta'auso, M Deane, L Bibo; I Keatley, F Murphy; J Lyne, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley; M McCarthy, J Muldoon, C Rigney. Replacements: R Loughney for Swift, 35mins; M Swift for Loughney, 40mins; R Loughney for Lyne, 55mins; S Cronin for Flavin, 64mins; D Gannon for McCarthy, 66mins.

Referee: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU).

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment