Connacht 13 13 Glasgow Warriors

A last minute penalty kick from out-half Niall O’Connor levelled proceedings at the Sportsground on Saturday night.

Connacht had fought back from 10 – 3 down after a Jon Welsh try, a Ruaridh Jackson conversion and penalty was reined in by a Niall O’Connor kick on the half-time whistle. O’Connor converted a Tiernan O’Halloran try 20 minutes into the second half after a long passage of Connacht dominance left the Glasgow defence stretched across the pitch. After some hard graft from the forwards Niall O’Connor’s cross-field kick dropped perfectly for O’Halloran to collect and cross the line in one smooth motion bringing the crowd to their feet and when O’Connor added the conversion to bring the game to a draw after 63 minutes it ensured a nail-biting finish for the 4189 supporters in the Sportsground.

Glasgow felt they had the upper hand in the opening exchanges of the second half and speculative drop goals from Ruaridh Jackson and Samoan winger David Lemi ensured Connacht had the platform to build their try scoring opportunity from. Replacement fly-half Duncan Weir put the visitors in front 5 minutes after that try and Connacht knew the pressure was on with wave after wave of Glasgow attack driving the home side deep into their own half.

It took a try-saving tackle from Man of the Match John Muldoon on fullback Peter Murchie to keep Glasgow out and from the resulting play Connacht built on hard work from the forwards and slick hands from the backs to work their way into the Glasgow half.

With 3 minutes to go Connacht were able to relieve the pressure when the experienced pack earned a much deserved penalty at scrum-time. Niall O’Connor’s kick brought matters into the Glasgow half and when the visitors pulled down the maul on the 10m line referee Peter Allen noted there was no time for another lineout. Up stepped O’Connor and nailed the kick to leave the sides drawn at 13 all after 80 minutes.

Another home game for Connacht next weekend as they welcome back former coach Michael Bradley for the first time since he took over Edinburgh at the start of the season. Supporters are reminded that since the game is not on tv watching the game live from the Sportsground is the only way to see Eric Elwood’s men take on the second Scottish side that lie just 3 points ahead in the table.

Connacht

Gavin Duffy (C), Fetu’u Vainikolo, Kyle Tonetti, Henry Fa’afili, Tiernan O’Halloran, Niall O’Connor, Paul O’Donohoe, Brett Wilkinson, Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Michael Swift, Mike McCarthy, John Muldoon, Eoghan Grace, George Naoupu

Replacements:

Etienne Reynecke, Denis Buckley, Stewart Maguire, Dave Gannon, Mick Kearney, Dave Moore, Matthew Jarvis, Eoin Griffin

Glasgow Warriors

Peter Murchie, Tommy Seynour, Troy Nathan, Graeme Morrison, David Lemi, Ruaridh Jackson, Henry Pyrgos, Ryan Grant, Pat MacArthur, Jon Welsh, Rob Verbakel, Tom Ryder, Robert Harley, Chris Fusaro, Ryan Wilson

Replacements:

Finlay Gillies, Gordon Reid, George Hunter, Nick Campbell, Duncan Weir, Alex Dunbar, Colin Shaw, Calum Forrester  

Pictures (above right) Niall O'Connor nails a last minute penalty to secure the draw, (above left) Brett Wilkinson and Michael Swift stop Glasgow's Tom Ryder in his tracks, (below) Tiernan O'Halloran takes his score (C) www.inpho.ie