The Irish Times' Gerry Thornley talks to Connacht captain John Muldoon who views the Challenge Cup as the best route to their Holy Grail, qualifying for the Heineken Cup.
"At this stage of the season, Connacht are normally counting the days to summer while retaining, at best, an outside mathematical challenge to qualify for the Heineken Cup for the first time ever. Now though, they still have three routes into Europe’s blue-riband competition.
"They can still qualify through the Magners League by dint of finishing above Ulster, whom they trailed by four points going into this weekend’s matches; by winning the Amlin Challenge Cup, or can do so with Ulster should either Leinster or Munster gain an additional place for Ireland by winning the Heineken Cup.
"None of this would have seemed possible when Connacht lost limply by 30-6 to Ulster at the Sportsground last September. They’ve had a few disappointments over the years but the way John Muldoon recalls it, that was a particularly low ebb."
RSS feed
