Connacht Rugby players have received a huge confidence boost and some rare silverware with their success at the Churchill Cup Tournament in America.
John Muldoon, who was the Ireland A side’s tour captain, was one of six Connacht players involved in the tournament. Hooker Sean Cronin and centre Keith Matthews, who both were with Muldoon on the Irish senior tour, were in the starting line-up for Sunday’s decider against the English Saxons in which Ireland posted a 49 - 22 win to claim the Churchill Cup for the first time.
Cronin scored a critical try after half time when he took the ball on, and handing off two English players, crossed the line, putting Ireland firmly into the driving seat at 27-12. And Muldoon, who came on in the second half as a replacment, got the try he richly deserved, claiming Ireland’s sixth effort in Colarado.
Other Connacht players who took part in the tournament were Fionn Carr, Frank Murphy, and Andrew Browne, who was a late call-up, while former Connacht players James Downey (Northampton ) and Tony Buckley were also in the squad.
