CONNACHT WENT INTO the second half of the New Year’s Day inter-pro trailing 16 – 7, but with hope of causing another upset in Galway.

The hope came thanks to moments of creative magic like their only score of the first half; a lovely chip over the top from Craig Ronaldson, collected by Robbie Henshaw running at the perfect angle before feeding Kieran Marmion.

And immediately after the break Henshaw and Ronaldson helped Connacht right back into the game, the out-half diving over for a try to make it a two-point game.

A third try from Aly Muldowney then turned impetus into a controlling lead in the game and Connacht held on for a rare win over their rivals to the south.

- Originally published 18.00