One of a handful of players who have experienced both the highs and lows of European rugby, Connacht fullback Gavin Duffy is fully prepared for the range of emotions that Friday evening’s Challenge Cup match could produce.
Six seasons ago the 28-years-old Duffy faced up to his former clubmates from Connacht in a memorable European semi-final at the Sportsground. His new club Harlequins had the advantage of a 31 - 22 win from the home leg, and although Connacht, with its never-say-die attitude, won the Galway leg 23 - 18, the London outfit progressed and went on to claim the trophy.
“That was the toughest match we had played, here in Connacht. I was very emotional that day. Connacht won the match but Harlequins progressed and I remember walking off the pitch and meeting Gerry Kelly [Connacht CEO] afterwards and how disappointed he was.
“I went back to the dressing room and started crying. One of the lads adked me ‘what are you crying for?’ I said I wasn’t really sure, I just was. But I know it was very tough emotionally.”
The Ballina man is a firm believer that you need to feel it to play it.
“Everyone has an opinion about whether you should use emotions or not, but I like to live the whole experience and play with my heart, but with experience I know when to rein it in as well.”
Tomorrow night’s crowd, he says, will have a huge role to play in inciting those emotions.
“It’s the difference between getting stopped on the gain line and getting half yard over the line; the difference between quick ball and slow ball. Against Leinster, when there was a break in play, all we heard was ‘Connacht, Connacht, Connacht’ and it certainly lifts you. I like to let the crowd influence me as well.”
Although Duffy has 10 caps for Ireland - the first back in 2004 - he has never enjoyed a consistent run in the Irish shirt. This season, however, he is playing some of the best rugby of his career. Safe under the high ball and the instigator of lightening counter-attacks, Duffy looks like a player enjoying his rugby - and crucially - on a consistent basis.
“There were a couple of seasons when I wasn’t feeling physically at my best. I had a couple of groin injuries that dragged on, and never quite got to the fitness or sharpness that was needed. This year I have had a clear run, and with good players around me, it has helped improve my game.
“ We have been striving for better levels of training, better levels off the pitch in terms of our preparations. We have all upped it a few levels to get that consistency. If you are a national team manager, you will always look for players who are consistent, and I have certainly tried to up my game in the last season and a half to get the levels of consistency I am happy with.”
The growing maturity in the Connacht side has been reflected in results this season, but as one of the more seasoned campaigners, Duffy believes it is the youngsters who are proving inspirational this season.
“There is good experience within the squad now, but the likes of Seanie [Cronin], Jamie [Hagan], Ian Keatley and Fionn Carr have made a huge impact since they came. The amount of game time they have got in the last 12 months is really standing to them and instilled confidence. The likes of George [Naoupu], Niva [Ta’auso], and Miah [Nikora] have been astute acquisitions by the management, so we are beginning to gel and it’s a good place to be.”
“They [youngsters] show me the way sometimes - certainly with their enthusiasm and attitude, and it’s something we have spoken about - we all need that. You need to have the right frame of mind, to challenge each other, and the management have been leading the way because they are not afraid for us to challenge them. It’s a good camp to be in - we all have our moments to stand up and lead.”
Connacht’s inconsistency has been its biggest downfall in achieving Heineken Cup rugby, but Duffy believes that is changing.
“We always had the belief we could pull big performances out of the bag when needs be. When our backs are to the wall we will come out fighting. But we have had to ask ourselves: ‘If we can do it once, why can’t we do it week in week out.’ Having continuity in the squad has helped answer that question. Building on experience and squad retention, and the standard of play has shot up as a result.”
Will it be enough to see off one of France’s top sides tomorrow?
“That’s the question we can answer tomorrow night. I feel we can answer it, but we will have to wait and see if we can rise to those levels. Without doubt it’s a huge occasion for us and for the game in the west of Ireland. We have a massive role to play in that if we get a victory, and hopefully it won’t be the biggest game of the season, we’ll have one more after this.”
