KIERAN KEANE SLAMMED Connacht’s performance after they were thrashed 39-10 by the Ospreys in Swansea.
Tries from Jeff Hassler, Dan Evans, Scott Otten and Hanno Dirksen condemned the former champions to their heaviest defeat of the season.
Connacht could only manage one try from replacement out-half Craig Ronaldson in the first half.
And Keane admitted his side just weren’t good enough as their Champions Cup playoff hopes evaporated in South Wales.
He said: “It was a horrendous night for us.
“It was hugely disappointing and the manner in which we played wasn’t good enough. We probably got what we deserved.
“There were far too many mistakes and basic errors in our game and our fundamentals weren’t good enough. We’ve got to get the fundamentals of the game right, especially our lineout throws.
“We got bullied consistently at the breakdown consistently and that was disappointing because the breakdown was a focus area for us. We were a clear second best there.
“The Ospreys forward pack was very good and caused us a lot of angst. They came out on top because of their physicality around that breakdown area.
“I really didn’t see that performance coming and it was as huge shock to the system.”
Connacht cannot automatically qualify for the Champions Cup as they are 13 points behind fourth place Cardiff Blues in conference A with just two games remaining.
Keane’s side do still have an outside chance of participating in a Champions Cup qualification play-off, but they are six points behind the Ospreys who have a game in hand.
But Keane insists his focus is on finishing the season strongly with two wins against Warriors and Leinster respectively.
He said: “We’ve just got to get back on the horse and work hard to try and finish the season strongly.
“I don’t think we lack effort because we always try very hard but we just need to be more accurate on the field. We’ve got two tough games to finish the season and I’m looking forward to facing my old boss Dave Rennie next weekend.
“We aren’t really thinking about the play-off. We just want to finish the season as strongly as we can. I know what needs to be fixed ahead of next season and we will go about fixing those things internally.”
When asked about strengthening the squad ahead of next season, he replied: “I’ve already done that.”
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Kelleher is one to watch for the future. A very impressive young player.
@EK: I agree with you on this one too. Really excited about what Kelleher can bring to the Leinster squad. If he stays fit he could be a great player for us.
@EK: can’t wait to see him lining out for Munster in a year or two
As a Munster fan I must tip my hat off to the Leinster development system from the schools and the “A” team they really have produced amazing players and teams over the last decade it’s a shame Munster can’t seem to do the same with their young players they tend to favour size over talent
@Joe: it’s not that Munster aren’t picking young talent it’s just it’s not there. The Ireland u20s teams for the last few years tells you that
@PScald: Producing means means you put players there. Or did harry potter forget to wave his wand to put them there after a mid-air quidditich concussion?
@Joe: Munster A looked pretty good against a Leinster A team that included Dave Kearney, Adam Byrne, Ross Moloney, Peter Dooley, Noel Reid in Donnybrook a couple of weeks back
The silver ware keeps coming. Congratulations Leinster A.. what happens now? Do the A teams go into to storage till next year? I hope not
@PScald: I think ideally they play AIL and strengthen that
@PScald: No they will play Munster down in thomond on the 29th
@PScald: a lot of the Leinster A team will be playing for the first team during the internationals I would imagine, like the Byrne twins, Tom Daly, Mick Kearney, Ross Molony etc.
Great win with a strong squad. Interesting to see the future of this competition and the benefits for teams. The regions in wales seem to have enjoyed the game time.
Ronan Kelleher has in my opinion the potential to be our best international hooker since Keith Wood.
Brilliant for Leinster – watch out for Penney & Doris in the back row – awesome potential