We played our hearts out, says dejected Connacht skipper Muldoon

IT WAS not through a lack of endeavour that Connacht must wait another season to make the breakthrough at European level, says Connacht captain John Muldoon after his side failed to advance to their first Amlin Cup final.

“We played our hearts out. We defended most of the first half, but with our backs to the wall in the first half, I suppose that was the winning or losing of the game. If we had come out 12-9 at half time, it would have been a different ball game. However we did not convert in the second half, and only got one kick and that’s not good enough.”

“Some are saying we are going out with no regrets, but there will be a few. The crowd was superb, you had to pinch yourself that it was the Sportsground, and if we can get half of them [supporters] to every game, we will be happy,” he said.

The first-half try in the depth of injury time proved critical – a try which coach Michael Bradley believed was avoidable.

“I think we could have thought our way out of that one a little better, but it was a magnificent effort from the forwards to sustain the pressure, but then to cough up a try after a little bit of footwork from Kefu was disappointing.”

Bradley, in his last season in charge of the province after seven years, said it was a great day for Connacht with “everything set up for a famous day”.

However, he said, the quality of the Toulon shone through in the end.

“Their defence was very good, they were strong in the collisions, and in cup matches we need to learn at this level to take our chances. We had three or four in the second half some five yards from the line and got nothing out of it. That was the game.”

Although Connacht “put it up to Toulon“, the French outfit showed the strength in depth of their squad.

“You would have to say Toulon as a team performed very well today – from one to 15. What it says about Connacht is that we have very good team spirit, the lads like playing with each other and give a lot for each other and the jersey, and that’s a great position for Connacht rugby going forward.”

“If you go into the Connacht dressing room, we knew we had a great chance to win. Money is not everything. It evens the playing field when you have a sense of identity, belief in what Connacht is doing. It’s a team game so money can buy individuals, but not a team.”

“The opportunity will come around again.

“It’s not going to happen this year but it could happen next year.”