Hurling legend Joe Connolly inspires Connacht

INSPIRATION: Connacht's Mack Hansen spoke about the inspirational team talk given to the squad ahead of their Round of 16 clash against Cardiff. Pic: ©INPHO/James Crombie

EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16: Connacht 35 Cardiff 20

Joe Connolly, who captained Galway to All-Ireland glory 45 years ago, is still inspiring the men of the west and delivered a speech to the Connacht squad during the week which invigorated them in their Challenge Cup knockout showdown against Cardiff on Saturday evening.

Mack Hansen, who lives in Castlegar, the home club of the famous Connolly family, referenced the midweek talk from the hurling legend when declaring post-match that Connacht have targeted outright success in the Challenge Cup this season.

Cullie Tucker, who has stepped up to take charge in the absence of head coach Pete Wilkins, confirmed that the target had been set but, understandably, was a bit more measured and wants the focus on next Saturday’s quarter-final against Racing 92 in Galway.

“Yeah, of course. We're in the competition to win it. But Racing, they're coming to town next week. So it's a hugely exciting challenge. And that's the one we focus on this week,” said the Limerick native who this week was confirmed as part of Paul O’Connell’s Irish coaching team for the summer internationals in Georgia and Portugal.

Tucker said he was extremely proud of the performance as Connacht held an edge throughout at Dexcom Stadium but had to dig deep to nail their third win over Cardiff in eleven weeks.

“Very proud of the boys. It was always going to be a tough game, but they had some real pressure moments as well. But I thought we stuck in the fight loads, we scrambled hard for each other.

“I thought we capitalised very well in the second half any time we got into the 22. The try just after half-time was a superb try. But then we had put ourselves under a bit of pressure from the kick-off, which we have to clear up. But then we were able to get back down to pitch and score a couple of tries there to finish off,” added Tucker.

He was particularly pleased with the impact off the bench and with home advantage to follow in the semi-finals if they get that far, knows they need everyone delivering when the chance arises.

“It is a 23-man game. That's the way rugby teams are selected now. And the expectation is they bring energy. And I thought they did. The last 20 minutes were key for us. And, you know, they know their job when they're picked on the bench is to come on, give energy and make an impact on the game,” added Tucker.

Hansen led from the front for a side Connacht who led 14-8 at the break after finishing the opening half with a flourish despite having the Irish star being in the bin.

Scrum-half Matthew Devine gave them a perfect start but Cardiff hit back and edged in front with a Callum Sheedy penalty and a try in the right corner from Ray Lee-Lo.

Cardiff lock Josh McNally was binned before the break and Sean Jansen made the most to score with the clock in the red to lead 14-8 at the interval.

They pushed that lead out to 21-8 two minutes after the restart when tighthead Finlay Bealham and then hooker Dave Heffernan displayed super pace to send Finn Treacy away for a fine try.

Cardiff got back in the match when Ben Thomas bounced off Hugh Gavin in midfield to score, with the centre adding the conversion while Sheedy was receiving medical attention.

A superb break down the left by Harri Millard ended with Josh Adams scoring in the other corner but Thomas’ convert narrowly missed the target which left Connacht leading 21-20 with 19 minutes left.

Cardiff had a chance to hit the front but messed up another five-metre lineout and Connacht made them pay as Josh Ioane, Treacy and Hansen combined for Shayne Bolton to hold a lunge from Adams to score in the right corner. Crucially, Ioane added the conversion to put eight between them with 12 minutes left.

And Connacht wrapped up the issue three minutes from time when Paul Boyle barged over after Thomas was binned following a break by replacement scrum-half Caolin Blade.

CONNACHT: M Hansen; S Bolton (J Ioane 38-40), H Gavin (C Forde 62), B Aki, F Treacy; JJ Hanrahan (Ioane 56), M Devine (C Blade 56); J Duggan (D Buckley 56), D Heffernan (D Tierney-Martin 44), F Bealham (J Aungier 57); O Dowling, D Murray (N Murray 66); J Murphy, S Hurley-Langton (P Boyle 52), S Jansen.

CARDIFF: C Winnett; J Adams, R Lee-Lo, B Thomas, H Millard; C Sheedy (R Jennings 60), J Mulder (E Bevan 78); D Southworth (C Domachowski, 57), L Belcher (E Lloyd 57), K Assiratti (R Litterick 53); J McNally (R Thornton 65), T Williams; A Lawrence, J Botham (T Young 65), T Faletau (A Mann 52).

Referee: Luc Ramos (France).