Two tries in the final five minutes of the first half turned this contest upside down, Edinburgh had built up a 17-8 lead against the elements and Connacht were looking patchy at best yet somehow they turned the tide and with the likes of Ray Ofisa and Gavin Duffy to the fore they surged into a half time lead of 22-17.

There are signs beginning to emerge that indicate the team are feeling the effects of a long campaign. The injuries are mounting and the squad is stretched, Ian Kealtey was bandaged up on the field towards the end of this encounter because Miah Nikora was out and there was no natural out half available to cover. 

Eric Elwood is having to turn to his younger squad members for cover once more, Irish under 21 international and rising star from Athlone Mark Dolan sat on the bench yesterday to cover scrum half. This management team is not afraid to dip into the academy for cover and many have benefited from it as the season has gone on.

(pic: Sporting Occasions.)

That will all help next season as a growing band of young squad members will be available to bulk up the squad. If Connacht can finish eight or better it would represent a best ever performance in the competition and allow coach Eric Elwood draw a new line in the sand for where province can build, it might not sound like much but it would be hugely significant.

AUDIO: Keith Matthews,

That’s why the Connacht team showed more urgency in the second half on Friday, they looked like they were playing for a Heineken Cup place and they certainly appeared to want it more than their visitors when the game was in the melting pot. The mistakes in the first half kept Edinburgh in the contest but it is no exaggeration to suggest that Connacht could have had seven tries in this contest.

The first came after just 1 minute with Fionn Carr demonstrating that he’s back to his best by finishing after a thrilling break from Gavin Duffy on the counter and good link play from Carr himself, then Ofisa before the flying winger took the return pop pass out of the tackle and crashed over to score the quickest try of the Magners League season so far.

That start wasn’t built on, although Connacht certainly created more opportunities in the opening quarter, Edinburgh responded through Craig Laidlaw before edging in front when Scott Newlands showed tremendous power and agility to finish off in the corner after a superb pass from British Lion Mike Blair.

While Ian Keatley’s penalty on 28th minutes brought Connacht a little closer, it got worse when James King crashed through the over eager home defence and drove on towards the line for a second try. The centre showed great power but it was a major lapse and the lead was 17-8.

Connacht’s fightback began with just a couple minutes remaining in the half, a frantic series of attacks saw them keep the ball in motion with Mike McCarthy and Bernie Upton linking to get the ball out to Keatley his pass to Brian Tuohy on the wing created the chance, the winger charged towards the line off loaded brilliantly to Carr who was tackled without the ball.

A penalty try and a yellow card to Nick De Luca left Edinburgh reeling and Connacht were back in it, it got better almost from the restart as they attacked again, this time through Gavin Duffy who made a scything break before finding Carr on his inside shoulder, the winger was once again on hand to finish the chance for a 22-17 lead.

The contest remained frenetic in the second half Laidlaw kicked Edinburgh back within two just after half time but a try on sixty minutes rapped up the bonus for Connacht and extended the lead. Ian Keatley’s deft kick behind the advancing defensive line was perfectly judged for Duffy to crown a fine performance with a try.

Laidlaw kicked a penalty in the closing stages to raise Edinburgh hopes but Connacht stood firm thanks to a hard working defensive line, led well by Keith Matthews celebrating his 100th cap in fine style, up front Adrian Flavin came off the bench to make his century also.

There is a tough finish to the season ahead with play off chasing Cardiff arriving in two weeks on April 15th before trips to Ulster and Munster but the confidence remains high and the tries continue to flow as a record three four try bonus points in one season demonstrates. Elwood’s men seem determined to finish on a high this season.

Connacht: G Duffy; B Tuohy, T Nathan, K Matthews, F Carr; I Keatley, F Murphy; R Loughney, S Cronin, J Hagan, B Upton, M McCarthy, A Browne, J OConnor, R Ofisa.
Replacements: M McComish for Ofisa (62 mins), B Wilkinson for Loughney (68 mins), R Ah You for J Hagan (73 mins), A Flavin for Cronin (75 mins).

Edinburgh: J Thomson; S Webster, B Cairns, J King, T Visser; G Laidlaw, M Blair; K Traynor, A Kelly (capt), G Cross, S McLeod, E Lozada, F McKenzie, S Newlands, D Denton.
Replacements: R Grant for McKenzie (54 mins), L Niven for K Traynor (60 mins), S Turnbull for Lozada (66 mins).

Referee: C Damasco (Italy).