Elsom punch and McCarthy red card as Connacht win
Connacht sprung the surprise upset of the Magners League season so far as they heroically beat defending champions Leinster at the Galway Sportsgrounds on Sunday night. The loss for the champions may well dent their hopes of retaining the title, as they went down 19-18 to the courageous Connacht.
Fly half Ian Keatley, formerly of Leinster, kicked four penalties as well as the conversion of the lone Mike McCarthy try. The confidence gained was immense, particularly considering the recent mauling they received at the hands of the Cardiff Blues.
Five minutes into the second half the homeside came up with an inspired bit of play that began deep in their own half. Mike McCarthy was in support of the Sean Cronin offload, as he dived underneath the posts to complete a fantastic try.
As Connacht grabbed McCarthy in celebration, a scuffle broke out as Leo Cullen seemed to be the instigator, with an elbow on Keatley. Whether it was accidental or not, it led to try scorer McCarthy leading with his head into Wallaby Rocky Elsom. Elsom retaliated with a punch, and both players received yellow cards.
It was McCarthy’s second yellow, so he got a red, meaning his night was over seconds after his great try.
Jonathan Sexton pushed a late dropgoal attempt wide, as Connacht held on despite the numerical advantage, achieving their first win over Irish opposition since December 2005.
Time: 03:48
Fly half Ian Keatley, formerly of Leinster, kicked four penalties as well as the conversion of the lone Mike McCarthy try. The confidence gained was immense, particularly considering the recent mauling they received at the hands of the Cardiff Blues.
Five minutes into the second half the homeside came up with an inspired bit of play that began deep in their own half. Mike McCarthy was in support of the Sean Cronin offload, as he dived underneath the posts to complete a fantastic try.
As Connacht grabbed McCarthy in celebration, a scuffle broke out as Leo Cullen seemed to be the instigator, with an elbow on Keatley. Whether it was accidental or not, it led to try scorer McCarthy leading with his head into Wallaby Rocky Elsom. Elsom retaliated with a punch, and both players received yellow cards.
It was McCarthy’s second yellow, so he got a red, meaning his night was over seconds after his great try.
Jonathan Sexton pushed a late dropgoal attempt wide, as Connacht held on despite the numerical advantage, achieving their first win over Irish opposition since December 2005.
Time: 03:48
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23 Comments:
To be honest i dont have a clue why McCarthy headbutts Elsom.Rocky just seems to try and calm things down and MM just headbutts him for no reason,he deserved the punch.
By Gramerox, at October 07, 2008 2:07 pm
leo cullen is a scrumbag... he started the whole thing... leinster are going nowhere this year!!!!
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 2:12 pm
tongey is mong ,he ll never play for con again
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 2:20 pm
Who is tongey? Cullen started the whole thing with a sneaky elbow, what a pr*ck
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 4:59 pm
great win for Connacht hope they keep building from this. Cullen was disgraceful, he's Leinster's captain for fecksake
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 5:38 pm
Any citing for Cullen?
By Cheyanquí, at October 07, 2008 6:31 pm
leo cullens a coward and is a uselesss rugby player.no wonder leinster are playin so poorly with him captain
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 6:53 pm
Stupid scene.
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 6:54 pm
the green jersey is nice!
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 7:31 pm
handbags.....thats all i'll say. watch Elsom brick his pants after throwing that punch
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 8:30 pm
Bad form by Cullen and a great try by Connacht. Don't know what McCarthy expected headbutting Elsom though.
Why is it connacht only play like this against Leinster ?!
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 8:40 pm
I have always thought that Leo Cullen is a useless waste of space (sorry he just annoys me). He always get a dig in, and not in a nice way! His boots are everywhere, is there any need really! We see you at it all the time Leo!
Congrats to Connacht!
By Anonymous, at October 07, 2008 9:42 pm
"Connacht sprung the surprise upset of the Magners League season so far as they heroically beat defending champions Leinster" I think both sides did some beating of their own. lol
And wtf is the ref on about poetic justice?! I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure the word he was looking for was ironic.
Well there is a citing commissioner Cheyanqui, so he should pick up on it, don't know if anything has happened yet tho.
And btw rugbydump its Cardiff Blues.
-Dune
By Anonymous, at October 08, 2008 12:38 am
Cullen should have been red-carded for the sucker punch.
By Anonymous, at October 08, 2008 4:26 am
From a neutrals point of view i think MccCarthy is a little hard done by there.
By Anonymous, at October 08, 2008 11:52 am
Hope Cullen gets sighted for that that was ridiculous. Well done connacht, it's always nice to see an underdog win, hope connacht go on to have a good season and even qualify for the HC, that would be great.
By Anonymous, at October 08, 2008 2:40 pm
6 woit tru a ponch
By Anonymous, at October 09, 2008 2:59 pm
Good refereeing there two yellows deserved but, he did miss Cullans elbow which deserved a red. Despicable act from a teams captain.
By Anonymous, at October 09, 2008 9:37 pm
em rugby dump i think its december 2004**?
just in the irish news they all said 'their first win over lienster since 2004' one of you is wrong :P
By Anonymous, at October 10, 2008 10:24 pm
irish opp, not Leinster. Both statements are true
By Anonymous, at October 12, 2008 1:33 pm
yeh was sly by culen but there was no real contact so chillout, clear headbutt... both deserved what they got
By Anonymous, at November 06, 2008 10:26 am
pfft, what's Elsom supposed to do, fall over and cry like a soccer player would? In Austtralia if someone headbuts you on the field, you belt em, simple as that.
By Anonymous, at January 24, 2009 8:00 am
well done mccarthy the aussie deserved it proud of you
By Anonymous, at October 27, 2009 12:31 am
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