New players, new facilities, a new coach, and a reborn enthusiasm for Connacht rugby were all on offer last night in the revamped Galway Sportsground.
Their first warm-up match of the season may have resulted in a one-point victory for visitors London Irish, but new coach Michael Bradley will have been satisfied with a workmanlike performance from his new charges.
New players - all 12 summer recruits - were given a run-out for the home province, which made for a scrappy second half after a five-try opening 40 minutes.
The new facilities, which were officially opened by former IRFU president Don Crowley, attracted around 2,000 spectators to the Galway Sportsground last night.
Connacht went into the break just a point behind, although Bradley will not have been totally satisfied given the amount of possession Connacht controlled and the way in which they conceded three soft tries.
The home side opened with a Martin McHugh penalty, but London Irish took advantage of a penalty kicked to touch, splitting the defence for full back Ed Thrower to score out wide.
London Irish, who spent most of the half in their own territory, were quick to capitalise on turned-over ball and scrumhalf Kevin Barrett won the race ahead of McHugh after his kick ahead.
Creative out wide, Connacht spurned at least two scoring chances before centre Darren Yapp did well under pressure with a long looping run which finished with a second try for the home side.
Slick handling saw replacement winger Paul Sackey finish off in the corner, but Connacht finished the half with a Michael Swift try. And that is the way the score stayed with neither team managing to register a score in the second period.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 2 mins: M McHugh penalty, 3-0; 4: E Trower try, 3-5; 7: McHugh penalty, 6-5; 21: K Barrett try, B Everitt conversion, 6-12; 31: D Yapp try, McHugh conversion, 13-12; 35: P Sackey try, Everitt conversion, 13-19; 39: M Swift try, 18-19. Half-time: 18-19. Full-time: 18-19.
CONNACHT: M McHugh; T Robinson, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), W Munn; D Hewitt, C Keane; D McFarland, B Jackman, A Clarke, D Browne, A Farley, M Swift, J O'Sulllivan, M Carroll. Replacements: M Lacey for Carroll, C McPhillips for Allnutt (both 55 mins); W O'Kelly for McFarland (60); J Fogarty for Jackman (64); C O'Loughlin for Keane (65); T Carter for Swift (68); M McCarthy for Browne (70).
LONDON IRISH: E Thrower; J Bishop, M Cannon, N Mordt, E Hoadley; B Everitt, K Barrett; D Wheatley, A Flavin, P Durant, R Strudwick (capt), B Casey, P Gustard, K Dawson, P Murphy. Replacements: P Sackey for Hoadley (21); M Mapletop for Everitt, K Brennan for Barrett, D Armitage for Thrower, D Danaher for Gustard (all half-time).
Referee: D McHugh.
