CONNACHT SCRUM AND contact coach Colm Tucker believes that out of the mayhem of his side’s 43-40 defeat to the Ospreys will come enough positives to help them take on Munster in a vital derby clash in the next round of the URC.
It was definitely a case of it being an unlucky 13th round of matches for Tucker’s men, who matched the Ospreys try for try in a 12-try thriller to secure two points from their tough away trip.
But the way they hit back after falling 24 points behind in the second half meant it could have been more.
“It must have been a brilliant game to watch for the neutral,” said Tucker. “The momentum swings were massive and both times the teams capitalised on the swing.
“We are frustrated in not leaving with five points, but will take the positives out of getting two from a tough place to come.
“I was proud of how the team came out of the difficult periods and at the end of the game, we had a young side doing all they could to try to win it.
They kept fighting for the jersey and the club. They showed incredible resilience and they could have won it in the end.
“We are very pleased to score 40 points away from home, but not at conceding 43, so there is still plenty to work on. There are positives to take into next week and we are looking forward to a huge occasion.”
There was only one point between the two teams in the league table at the start of the game, but it was the Ospreys who moved up five places to reach seventh with their five-point haul. Even with two points, Connacht slipped to 12th.
It means they will go into their sold-out Castlebar clash with Munster this weekend two points off the top eight and three points behind their Irish rivals, who are in sixth after their defeat in Glasgow.
“There were some freakish tries in there but there was no panic at half time. We didn’t feel we were being dominated physically,” said returning Connacht skipper Joe Joyce.
“The last three or four games have been must-win games and we haven’t had a chance to focus on Munster yet. That will start on Monday and we know it’s going to be a special game in front of a sold out crowd.
I’ve been in games with high scores before but this one just felt weird. It is a crazy season and there are no easy fixtures.
“When you do win, you can’t get carried away, and when you do get a punch in the face like today, you can’t get too down.”
Come on you boys in blue!
Up da dubs.
Jesus, looks like just saying you support the Dubs is enough to get you red thumbed. Anyway, everyone hates us but we don’t care. COYBIB!!
CHAMPIONS!!!!!!
Come on Kerry. Anyone But Dublin
Fantastic display from the Dubs,welcome home Sam!
Come on the dubs!!!
Come on you boys, come on you boys in blue!!!
Who are the 4 muppets on RTE 2 arguing over nothing?
I know!! Everybody wants to see the best play in a final and a Kerry v Dublin is like The Spanish El Clasico!!!
Did they lube the pitch up with baby oil before this match? Shlippin’ and shlidin’ all over the place
Come on Dublin.
Tis a slipping and sliding match.
When I seen the photograph of the woman and baby accompanying this article I thought it was going to be another migrant/refugee story!
It’s a refugee free day!! Beer and maybe a leg over later if Dublin win!!
I’m off the drink but I’ll take you up on the offer of the leg over.
Might be some consolation after the hiding Tipperary got in the minor game
worst allireland final in my living memory. Very very poor.
Puke.
The boys on RTE just after mentioning how both teams have played limited division 1 opposition,to put that into perspective Donegal who were knocked out of the championship in the Q/F have played more Div 1 teams than both Kerry and Dublin combined.
They won’t get any all-stars either despite the lop-sided draw they came through. Perhaps Durcan – had a terrific year.
It’s a very unfair system. Ulster teams get a raw deal there’s no disputing that
Best team won in the end.
Dublin have the better squad, Kerry have the better management. Kerry by 2.
Jack Kerry are not that strong !!!
…Stick to the day job Michael
Na I work nights
Looking like the Dubs having the better on the sideline as well so far, cooper bring dragged up and down the field and o Sullivan getting in on the scoring Gooch too far out from the goals
Wouldn’t completely agree, Kerry’s shooting has been absolutely woeful. When playing Dublin you have to take your chances. 8 wides(?) in 35 minutes is inexcusable in an AIF,
Congrats Dublin, the better side on the day
They should get rid of them clowns up in the studio and stick O’se and Whelao up there.
Come on utd
Carney already has O’Donoghue as his man of the match..
Never understood why they call it football. It should be called handball.
Because the foot kicks the ball? Derp!
Because it’s played on foot! The same reason Association Football is called football, American football is called football and rugby is called rugby football. The more you know *spreads hands in star motion*
Good game so far considering the conditions.
A.B.D
Deserved victory for Dublin, adapted to the conditions better and were unquestionably the better team on the day..faif pay to them..poor quality final..poor championsip.. (from the perspective of a neutral)
Well done best team won in the end to be honest it should hav been a bigger margin and they really should have three in a row by now by far the best team over the last three to four years.
Well done boys!! Up the Dubs!!
Martin carney is getting worried that Dublin might actually win
Dublin being a bit wasteful early on when they’re in shooting distance of a goal
Looks like donaghy is togged to start?????. Let the games begin
Get Paul Flynn off the pitch and this game would be put to bed.
I must have been at a different match . Paul Flynn was my man of the match