JOHN MULDOON SAYS he had a “funny moment” with new signing Cian Kelleher during last week’s pre-season friendly against Montpellier.
The Connacht pair were in the backfield when the French side kicked deep. Muldoon fielded the ball and threw a pass infield to the former Leinster fullback, following it up with an immediate shout to “run.”
The new Connacht kit, available from official retail partner Elverys Intersport. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
Kelleher took off and made 20 metres with ball in hand, launching Connacht back onto the front foot and into their attacking flow.
“But a couple of minutes later, Cian came back and said, ‘I probably should have kicked that,’” explains Muldoon.
“I looked at him and said, ‘We don’t kick here, Cian!’ and he went off with a bit of a wry smile on his face. He’s picking up things very quickly and he’s getting used to the systems.”
Muldoon recounts the tale with a smile of his own, more of the cheeky variety, but his recollection is instructive. Connacht earned their first-ever piece of silverware last season playing an ambitious and expansive style of attacking rugby.
Head coach Pat Lam has underlined the need for the western province to have the ability to play in a range of styles, but there is no doubt that they will back their attacking prowess as they look to retain the Pro12 and secure a Champions Cup quarter-final.
Muldoon and co. have spent pre-season ensuring that the collective mindset is that last season’s success is only a launchpad for further glory.
“I think when you are champions there is that risk, when you have won something and you haven’t won for a long time, there is that risk that maybe you are coming back and you are thinking ‘I’ve partied a little bit too hard,’” says Muldoon.
“‘Is the will there or is the fire there to come back and train as hard and to want to succeed again?’ I think it’s a new position for Connacht Rugby.”
Bristling with infectious enthusiasm, energy and confidence, Muldoon paints a picture of a Connacht camp that will not be affected by any malaise or lack of hunger now that their ‘underdog’ status is gone.
Pat Lam will attempt to lead Connacht to a second Pro12 title. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
The 33-year-old, who captains the province again this season, has been encouraged by how Connacht’s players returned from the off-season.
Using himself as an example of someone who always has to look over his shoulder in “fear” – at the likes of Sean O’Brien, James Connolly, Eoin McKeon and Rory Moloney in the back row – Muldoon says the ever-increasing competition in Connacht’s own squad is motivation enough.
“I think the big thing is that when you look at people’s fitness levels and the scores and the shape that everyone came back in, not too many people over-indulged over the summer,” says the Portumna man.
“It makes you get out on your holidays and run, do whatever you can. I’d love to say that I had a lovely two weeks on holidays and I didn’t do anything, but that’s not true. I took a week off and started back into training, did a bit every morning on holidays. I’m sure a lot of lads were in the same boat.
“You’ve got to keep working hard because one or two bad performances and you’ll get turfed out.”
Connacht are very much looking forward, though Muldoon says he will always cherish the memories of last season’s historic feats.
The reception Lam and his players received outside Murrayfield before the final was his favourite moment. The team bus pulled up at the stadium and was greeted by hundreds of Connacht fans crowded around the entrance and up the stairwells of the stands.
The Fields of Athenry bellowed out. Lam had to compose his emotional players in the changing room. Unforgettable.
“That will always stay with me,” says Muldoon, “it’s even giving me goosebumps now thinking of it again. That’s definitely the biggest and best feeling that I have ever had in a jersey or being a part of anything before.”
Recent Comments