Didn't make the game but just watched the highlights. The conditions were really septic at times. When you can see rain lashing down on the telly, you know it's actually worse in reality. Looked like Robbie was badly at fault for their try, but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt since he'd just been moved into that position after McSharry went off. Matt Healy did so well to get the dragons lad into touch when they made that intercept off a poor Marmion pass. If they'd scored then it would have been a very tall order. Fair play to Dan at the end. Two clutch plays as the yanks would say. A win is a win as they say. Munster were rubbish against the Scarlets, so I've got a little bit of hope ahead of next week. We beat Toulouse away afterall.

Any word on those who went off injured?

Very pleased with the composure we showed to win it in the finish in very difficult conditions but most of what came before that was very poor. The first 15 minutes or so in particular was dire and really Dragons should have been much further ahead at half time. Defensively the first try was a joke and as a whole in defence Connacht didn't cover themselves in glory. Connacht kicked away a lot of aimless possession in the first half which further drew pressure on ourselves.

When we went back to the basics of pick and drive, mauls and using our advantage at set-pieces we started to make headway.

Everyone was so relieved to get the win at the end and it was great to see the small crowd on a bad night really get behind the team.

We need to improve hugely on that performance but hopefully the result and the manner in which we dug it out will give the team the confidence to step up their performances.

I herd them too, very weird , I know the performance wasn't great but the conditions were horrific and the difference between the wind in the first and second half was ridiculous.

Bottom line we dug deep and won a game we could easily lost, great heart from the lads and nice way to end the year at the sports grounds, buzzing for Munster now

A win is a win is a win. But that performance was shocking. I hope McShaz and Heenan are OK,

Was it me or was there fake drums being played over the speakers? If there was who is the genius for that idea. Please don't do it again

Parksy Drop-Goal at the 79th min and It's a wiiiiiiiin Connacht 14 Dragons 11 :woohoo:

3-8 now after Parks penalty. Needed that to settle them, sounded as if Healy dug us out of some trouble after a Dragons intercept.

Mc Sharry nasty ankle injury after 5 min

Let's hope Connacht play the weather this evening. It won't be a high-scoring game or a classic. 6-3 will do perfectly. Whatever way we get the win we need this one badly.

t'is wet

Thats a really strong Connacht team. I'm glad to that Heffernan is on the bench, the last few times I've seen him he's impressed me. Hopefully we can get a win here.

swift4prez wrote: Kieran Marmion hasnt missed a game since he made his debut.
that 30 starts and 1 sub in the rabo and 10 in the heineken.

thats not bad going, 18mnths into a career and already 50 caps is just around the corner.
im not sure many players have gone 50 first games without missing one

Yeah, 40+ straight games would be a feat for a seasoned player, Marmion wouldn't have ever experienced the number of high level games he was involved in last season. I was surprised his body held up, for it to continue into this season is unbelievable. I can only assume POD is not 100% or the hope is a lead can be built and then he'll be brought on fairly early.

ConnachtBOB wrote:

GTTC wrote:

ConnachtBOB wrote: What is Kieran Marmion made off? He can't possibly keep this going. He deserves a week off or at least the first 60 mins on the bench if there isn't enough cover.

I would go further. When was the last time he was not in a match day squad? Overusage, should that start to be a worry?

His performances haven't dipped - in fact you could say they're getting better. But putting in a huge shift like he did last week when he was one of the walking dead and being called on once again - it's just a matter of time before he burns out

Kieran Marmion hasnt missed a game since he made his debut.
that 30 starts and 1 sub in the rabo and 10 in the heineken.

thats not bad going, 18mnths into a career and already 50 caps is just around the corner.
im not sure many players have gone 50 first games without missing one

GTTC wrote:

ConnachtBOB wrote: What is Kieran Marmion made off? He can't possibly keep this going. He deserves a week off or at least the first 60 mins on the bench if there isn't enough cover.

I would go further. When was the last time he was not in a match day squad? Overusage, should that start to be a worry?

His performances haven't dipped - in fact you could say they're getting better. But putting in a huge shift like he did last week when he was one of the walking dead and being called on once again - it's just a matter of time before he burns out

ConnachtBOB wrote: What is Kieran Marmion made off? He can't possibly keep this going. He deserves a week off or at least the first 60 mins on the bench if there isn't enough cover.

I would go further. When was the last time he was not in a match day squad? Overusage, should that start to be a worry?

What is Kieran Marmion made off? He can't possibly keep this going. He deserves a week off or at least the first 60 mins on the bench if there isn't enough cover.