Cronin reaping rewards from western exposure

IN another time, Sean Cronin’s commitment to Connacht rugby might have been seen as a bad career move. But, his selection for Ireland’s autumn Test with Samoa at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday tells a different story.

Cronin has plenty of ammunition stored to use against those who attempt to launch missiles at his team. Yes, he’s from Limerick, yes, he’s ultimately a Munster man, as he has pointed out in the past, but he’s proud to be associated with Connacht and of what has been achieved there over the last couple of seasons.

Instantly, he could point to how an under-strength Connacht produced a stirring triumph over the touring Samoans on Tuesday, but he highlights how the team has begun to win respect in the Magners League as well as Europe, where their last campaign yielded a place in the Amlin Cup semi-finals.