-
-
Author: Our Reporter
~ 2 minutes read
Connacht 22
Leinster 24
JOHN FALLON AT THE SPORTSGROUND
CONNACHT scrum-half Caolin Blade said they have only themselves to blame after Leinster caught them at the death in a gripping derby match at the Sportsground on Saturday night
Ciaran Frawley hardly touched the ball all night at full-back but he still popped up in the 81st minute to score a dramatic winner for Leinster and break Connacht hearts.
Blade, who skippered the side after captain Jack Carty was not selected in the matchday 23, produced a man-of-the-match display but that was poor consolation for the Monivea native.
“We’re extremely disappointed. Too many times in that second-half we just stood off. We let them play their game, they are a top-quality side but we’re extremely disappointed.
“There was a few mistakes on our side and we’ve no one to blame but ourselves. We’ve two huge games coming up in the Champions Cup so we’ll have to move on,” said Blade.
Frawley, selected at No.15 despite his stellar display at out half last week against Munster, was almost a spectator as this URC clash that went one way and then the other but when Leinster’s need was the greatest, he ran a perfect line to finish a flowing move with a try in the right corner which not only won the match, but also netted a bonus point.
His skipper on the night Scott Penny hailed Frawley for producing the moment of magic when it was most required. “Credit to him. He has worked hard all summer and it’s great he can cover so many positions. These inter-pros are always tough and they always go down to the last few minutes but it’s something we have been working on, those final ten minutes and thankfully it worked there.”
It was a tough outcome for Connacht who came from 11 points down after 64 minutes to hit the front, but in the end they fell to a seventh successive loss at the Sportsground to Leinster and also suffered their first home defeat of 2023.
Pictured: Connacht captain Caolin Blade is tackled by Leinster’s Scott Penny and James Culhane during Saturday URC clash at the Sportsground. Photo: Joe O’Shaughnessy.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune:
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
More like this:
Taoiseach pledges to examine "poor" LEADER funding in East Galway
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMThe Taoiseach has pledged to examine alleged "poor" a...
Bishop Eamonn Casey’s remains moved from Galway Cathedral Crypt
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMBishop Eamonn Casey’s remains have been moved from Ga...
BREAKING: Bishop Casey’s remains removed from Cathedral
The remains of Bishop Eamonn Casey have been removed from Galway Cathedral and ‘entrusted to the ...
Award-winning restaurateur JP McMahon opens new venue focused on Japanese street food
Multi-award-winning restaurateur JP McMahon unveiled his latest endeavour at the weekend – the ne...
Time to put rail corridor firmly back on track
A backbench TD has demanded that the Government provides a timeframe for work to commence on reop...
Hundreds of all ages turn out to enjoy National Play Day in Tuam’s Palace Grounds
Families from across Galway gathered to mark National Play Day recently – and to celebrate this y...
Local and global visitors flock to city for Galway International Arts Festival
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMFrom the heart of Galway city, to the east of the cou...
BOYLE Sports agrees three-year sponsorship renewal with Galway Races
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMBOYLE Sports and Galway Races have today announced a ...
Parish of Abbey to honour it's patron saint with community celebration
This article first appeared on Galway Bay FMThe parish of Abbey, in East Galway, will honour St. ...