Connacht lost to the Cardiff Blues on Saturday night in a closely fought game that saw Connacht lead 17-6 at half time. Johnny O’Connor was forced to retire from the warmup with a calf injury, Ray Ofisa moved to openside and George Naoupu made his return from injury to start at number 8. The hosts got off to the perfect start to the game when Tiernan O’Halloran recovered the kick off and dotted down in the 1st minute of the game. Niall O’Connor converted the difficult touchline kick. Cardiff outhalf Dan Parks brought Cardiff into the game with a penalty after 12 minutes and he then traded kicks with O’Connor before a dominant Connacht maul blitzed the Cardiff defence and Adrian Flavin was on hand to score the try. O’Connor’s conversion left Connacht 17-6 up after 30 minutes and the home side were playing all the rugby, forcing turnovers with some impressive defence and looking dangerous in attack.

Connacht finished the half on the attack and went into the dressing room 11 points clear but it was Cardiff who came out stronger in the opening exchanges of the second half. 2 trys in 4 minutes, both converted by Parks gave Cardiff a 3 point lead. Captain Paul Tito was sinbinned after Cardiff were found guilty of repeated infringements which allowed Miah Nikora, playing his 1st competitive match of the season, to kick level the game at 20 all. Dan Parks put Cardiff back in the lead with 15 minutes remaining and sealed the game with a 70th minute drop-goal which, despite repeated attacks into the Cardiff 22, remained the final points of the game. Connacht 20 Cardiff 26

Pictured in his Connacht Rugby debu, Fetu'u Vainikolo (C) www.inpho.ie - Cathal Noonan