Connacht End Season On A Losing Note

Out-half Ian Keatley kicked three penalty goals to steer Connacht to a half-time lead at rain-lashed Firhill but Glasgow Warriors outgunned the visitors in the closing stages, scoring three tries in the final 20 minutes for a flattering 30-9 victory.

Winless against Irish opposition since last October, Glasgow ground their way to victory against the Magners League’s bottom side at Firhill Arena.

But their error-strewn performance just summed up their rollercoaster campaign as they had to rely on a late Hefin O’Hare double to make sure of the bonus point.

Glasgow held the upper hand during the jittery opening stages but they were unable to turn that early possession and pressure into a significant points advantage.

Colin Gregor edged them in front with a penalty from close range, only for Connacht number 10 Ian Keatley to reply in identical fashion from 45 metres at the other end.

The Warriors surged ahead again with their first fluent attack with a fine try by Colin Shaw.

Connacht’s problems began when full-back Troy Nathan was yellow carded for deliberately palming a Graeme Morrison chip into touch.

From the set piece, Glasgow swung the ball across the field to Lome Fa’atau, whose grubber kick was perfectly weighted for Shaw to pounce.

The hosts continued to look the more potent outfit but their good work was spoiled by giving away a spate of penalties in their own half.

And Keatley punished them again by landing his second penalty from a similar distance.

The Scots carved out plenty of chances before the break, but a combination of sloppy handling and stout Connacht defence helped the visitors take a 9-8 lead into half-time as Keatley completed his treble with the final strike of the half.

Glasgow prop Moray Low was lucky to stay in the fray just after the restart when he felled winger Fionn Carr with a hefty early challenge.

And there was a further let-off as Keatley’s subsequent penalty strike drifted past the far post.

Glasgow’s good fortune continued when Gregor defied the elements to thump over a difficult kick at the other end.

But the scrum half winced in frustration, three minutes later, when he squandered a much easier chance.

The contest was lit up midway through he half thanks to a moment of magic from pacy centre O’Hare.

O’Hare marked the extension of his Glasgow contract by swerving past at least four defenders before squeezing over for a stunning touchdown.

Low atoned for his earlier blunder by ploughing through for the third try, converted by Gregor.

Gregor added the extras again when O’Hare left the Connacht rearguard for dead to put a flattering complexion on the final scoreboard.