Our kick chase was poor tonight but we were playing against one of the best teams in Europe. We missed too many tackles, the line out was poor it was about 50% and again when we get to the 5 meters we could not convert. Our try was a lucky one and great persistence by Marmion, from the other two chances we got zero. There are a lot of guys that have played in the 8 games so far and that is taking its toll. Time to get McSharry back at 12, Poolman 13, Robbie 15, Carr 14 or try out some of the academy lads

It's hard to know where to start with this game, there's so much to talk about. So disappointed even though I felt that we were going lose it all along.

First of all, I'll give my opinion on why we didn't deserve to win this game. The second half. Every fecking time we got the ball we gave it straight back to them. This was epitomised when we won the scrum penalty (after around 60 minutes I think), kicked to touch and lost the lineout. Straight away, they're back in our 22 after working so hard to get out. You just can't do that.

The two yellow cards were fair in my opinion. Loughney was penalised for team fouling, even though he just got on the pitch doesn't mean we should get away with previous pens. Marmion's yellow was fair as well. He had such a good game before that, which makes it so much more disappoitging. He really showed he is streets ahead of Reddan (can't believe Reddan is in the Irish squad).

Some of the calls the ref made at the breakdown were unbelievable though, Quinny said it himself after the match (even though Shaggy was quick to dismiss it, of course as a Leinster man). The pens for not releasing against Tiernan in the first half and Healy in the second half were two of the most f*****g ridiculous penalties I have ever seen. Jesus f*****g Christ, those are two of the worst decisions I have seen in my rugby watching career, talk about a ref looking to give a penalty before it even happens.

Impressed with Clarke, Heenan, Marmion and Ronaldson, thought they were all quality, but I can't see Ronaldson at 10, don't think he has the quality. Duffy was awful but I wouldn't trust TOH at 15 either. Wouldn't mid seeing Henshaw back there, or maybe James O' Connor if he's good enough!

Overall I find it hard to complain about losing it because we didn't do enough going forward. How many people will take a point away from the RDS though? Sure we could have won, but fuck it if we're getting a bonus point away from Leinster and Castres can't even do that so I think we'll be okay. Chin up lads, I have been disappointed in Lam but I think we are starting to play some decent rugger.

p.s. How much of a p***k is Donal Lenihan? Cannot stand that guy. Such a condescending p***k. Maybe he could have commentated on that game if he was't creaming his pants every time time Leinster did something half decent or Connacht did something wrong.

I thought Loughney was carded for a team offense, I think that he had made up his mind that the next Connacht pen was also going to be a YC.

Couldn't understand why reddan was never pulled for any of the not straights and why no YC when Leinster killed the ball on the try line, that's what cards are for.

Leinster fans thought he was crap too.

Its still a few basic mistakes that we get punished for all the time. we work really hard to get up the pitch then one mistake and we lose 60m.

would have settled for a lbp at the start but this was one that we let slip through our fingers.

Pity really, a win here would have done us the world of good and hopefully we can kick on anyway.

Stop with the ref bashing please. Looking back this is the 5th game out of 8 where we have failed to score in the 2nd half. Following on from last season in the two interpros this season we scored early and failed to add to our total in the final 60-65-70 minutes. Against Cardiff, we got an early try and our other 3 points came from a ridiculous penalty awarded for a crooked feed. Against Treviso we got a pathetic total of 3 points.

That is the issue we should be looking to address. We didn't get some key decisions tonight but if we keep blaming the ref and ignoring our failings we are fooling ourselves. Until we keep the scoreboard ticking games and start getting the basics right in the key stages of the matches we will continue to be also rans.

I hate saying it but for all the progress of the past few years it is still the harsh reality.

Anyway no need to take risks 45 meters from the line especially with an away ref, whereas HT was there.. Just step back and wait for the knock on

connachta wrote: Clarke made a stupid infrigement just before HT too..

At least 1 point lost tonight, 1 'gainst Cardiff 1 'gainst Ulster (1 meter from their line at the end), 1 against Ospreys... 4 points very achievable with other referies and little more focus/density

I would disgaree, having watched the replay the ref gave him no chance to roll away

He said roll away green and straight away blew up for Clarke without giving him a chance to roll as he was stuck.

I thought Clarke played well again tonight. I think the workrate of both he and Heenan in defence has really improved us in this department. We are not stretched as much or mismatches aren't created because everyone is working extremely to get back on their feet into the defensive line.

Not going to talk about the ref as I'd be here all night. Was very impressed with Heffernan when he came on. Last year his throwing was doggerel but he's clearly worked at it and was impressive with his throws and his work around the park was fantastic.

As for Ah You I've chewed him out of it a few times so it's only fitting I give him credit when he deserves it as he had another great game and has gone from being a liability to a good player who gives us options in the front row.

Parks did well but it was a bad miss and he seems to be dis-improving had than getting better. Shame Leader didn't get a run but makes sense with it being such a tight game. Marmion was superb and I think it was a harsh decision on him with the yellow. Cooney also did well. People keep talking about Moore but Cooney was holding his own with him until the second yellow which completely depowered our scrum. Lots of positives but now we need to back it up with points on the board.

Clarke made a stupid infrigement just before HT too..

At least 1 point lost tonight, 1 'gainst Cardiff 1 'gainst Ulster (1 meter from their line at the end), 1 against Ospreys... 4 points very achievable with other referies and little more focus/density

Our forwards were excellent. Heenan again the standout, he was everywhere in defence. Rodney locked out the scrum and because he offers some good carries around the park, he should be challenging White for the 3 jersey.

Our backs weren't good enough in attack and didn't offer much. Ronaldson has done well but he's not good enough attacking wise and we need to see McSharry back asap to give us go forward in midfield. Duffy should be dropped at this stage and maybe put TOH at 15 with Poolman back on the wing hopefully for next week.

Some of the refereeing decisions were shocking. But we need to have the composure to close out these games and it was Duffy who set the wheels in motion for Leinster to get the territory to put the pressure on with that poor drop of a high ball. Just inexcusable really.

A win next week is imperative. Glasgow will probably be weakened with call ups and we have to take full advantage. Win or bust really in terms of the league. After that we have Scarlets home and Embra away who will both be hit hard by call ups. It's time for us to make hay now

1) this game is won with an impartial ref
2) our defense is good
3) we desperatly need Buckley and White
4) the last scrum could have entiled a draw if the ref had balls (Leinster prop not tight), coudn't it?
5) Ronaldson is promising
6) Roll on Glasgow!!

Darragh507 wrote: so who played well, crap, give us the reviews.....

cant help but feel loughneys career is at a crossroads.....he might end up out of rugby unless he gets his shit together

My impressions...

Great performance from pretty much everyone in the pack except Loughney for that card.

Marmion was super, outplayed reddan by miles imo. Ronaldson improving as a 12, really want to see him at 10 for at least one november game.

Duffy was poor again imo he hasn't had more than an average level game this season, maybe he can be used better from the bench for the next while. Someone else said some of his best performances last season were on the wing and I'd agree. Also would give Leader/TOH/someone else a go.

Overall the performances were quite impressive but certain moments - kicks out on the full, bad line outs, yellows - put unnecessary pressure on back on connacht and kept leinster in it. Also I don't want to blame the ref he was consistently poor for both teams however Connacht didn't try to adapt to him imo.

We Won tonight. Nothing else to say

the answer to fullback is darragh leader....henshaw was good enough last ytear and so is

another fine away performance - the italian ref beat us aganist the cardiff blues and so did tonights ref

remember him penalising us in the first half for going over the top and off feet when we had the ball!!! in the second half if you watch leinster they did the same but were they penalised ??!!

im fine with this refereeing if we get the same penalty count at HOME but do we ? Hell no

its gone beyond the joke can we not as a supporters club send a letter to the refs association requesting proper rteferring for our hard earned money spent on our season tickets?

VEXED

Devils own wrote: Jay I need, to go for an ice bath...raging. Soon lads everything comes to those who wait and all that.

We said the same thing after the last gasp defeat to Leinster in Bradley's final season. This is the 3rd time in 4 years we should have returned from Dublin with a win and even last year we dominated for 30 minutes but didn't put in on the board and paid the price. These big scalps keep evading us because we don't show the killer instinct.

As with the Saracens game we performed heroically and left it out there but at the crucial times our decision making and execution wasn't what it need to be if we are to take the step forward from gallant losers.

On the positive at least we were gallant losers rather than the jokeshop we witnessed unlike against Treviso and Cardiff.

so who played well, crap, give us the reviews.....

cant help but feel loughneys career is at a crossroads.....he might end up out of rugby unless he gets his shit together

Of all the games we've let slip over the years that has to rank as one of the most gut wrenching. Rather than the end outcome of the inevitable penalty try we need to look at what really cost us the game. When you perform heroics in defence and earn penalties you need to get your set pieces right and go through a few phases. We got enough reprieves to do that and we didn't. Also Duffy's botched catch gave Leinster the field position. Parks missed penalty at 9-13 was a killer also.

Also coming up to half time we had a lineout on the Leinster 10 metre line and a minute later Leinster had 3 points on the board. Not good enough. Leinster were there to be bet tonight and once again we return west with the usual patronising pats of the back given to us by half wits like Ryle Nugent.

Bottom line though we get to 13 in jig time and approx. 65 minutes later we are still on 13. Won't win many games that way I'm afraid.

Tonight shows once again this team is better than the league table suggests but in the end its only results that matter and the points need to start being accumulated starting next Saturday at home to Glasgow.