Murray Kinsella reports from Kingspan Stadium

HAVING ENJOYED THE fact that they were busy with training last Monday – and therefore not on a ‘Mad Monday’ like other clubs – Connacht may well be putting plans in place for an end-of-season party tomorrow.

Andy Friend’s side saw their encouraging campaign come to an end in Belfast yesterday and they could have few complaints about the outcome as Ulster deservedly won 21-13.

Connacht’s Caolin Blade at the final whistle in Belfast. Source: James Crombie/INPHO

While it was a disappointing conclusion to the season, there is little doubt that Connacht have made genuine strides of improvement in the Australian head coach’s first year in charge.

The achievements are clear, the province’s key players have consistently shown good form, their depth has grown, and the entire organisation is happier off the pitch too. 

Connacht’s campaign is over but there is certainty within the set-up that they’re moving in the right direction.

“We just said downstairs that it’s not where we wanted to be in terms of getting knocked out of a quarter-final and we definitely wanted to be in a semi-final and, ideally, we’d love to be in a final holding up silverware but we didn’t get there,” said Friend yesterday evening at Kingspan Stadium.

“On reflection, though, we put some hoodoos to bed this year – the win up here in October, we’re in the Champions Cup next season, it’s only the second time in the club’s history that we’ve got into the play-off stages.

“It is hard to reflect and try to put a positive spin on things but those are the facts of it. There’s a lot of boys hurting down there, a lot of staff hurting, but I know that hurt will be turned around into positive energy and we’ll be better next year.”