MacGinty, O’Leary win Pro 12 Title

USA Eagles play-maker AJ MacGinty made history this afternoon, directing Connacht to an unlikely Guinness Pro 12 title.

In playing his final match for the Western Irish province before joining the Sale Sharks, MacGinty put-on a classy performance as Connacht overcame Leinster 20-10 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Canadian under 20 Shane O’Leary also featured, entering from the bench in the 69th minute.

The three tries to one victory saw Tiernan O’Halloran, Niyi Adeolokun and Matt Healy crossing once each with Leinster’s responding through former Connacht hooker Sean Cronin.

Using the Rugby World Cup to their advantage, Connacht got as far as they did by having few players missing during the early stages of the season. This was added to during the Six Nations and European Champions Cup campaigns which afforded the Western Irish province a unique opportunity.

The fairytale season is now over with Connacht joining Leinster, Munster and Ulster to give Ireland’s provinces Guinness Pro 12 titles. The Irish dominance is such that none of the three other nations have had champions from more than one team.

Heavily involved in the campaign, MacGinty made sure the job got done in the final. The USA Eagles number 10 converted his team’s opening try and also added a first half penalty to give Connacht a 15-0 half time lead.

A tired Leinster took until the 45th minute to get on the board, doing so via a Johnny Sexton penalty. MacGinty looked to hit back but his penalty was short. The fly half made up for it with a well-weighted kick which Healy dotted-down to put Connacht well clear.

A late twist saw Leinster back with a chance in the final ten minutes but their one try would only make it a 10 point game.

MacGinty will now join-up with his international teammates to play home internationals against Russia and Italy in June.

CONNACHT 20
Try: O’Halloran, Adeolokun, Healy
Conversion: MacGinty
Penalty: MacGinty

LEINSTER 10
Try: Cronin
Conversion: Sexton
Penalty: Sexton

CONNACHT
15 Tiernan O’Halloran, 14 Niyi Adeolokun, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Matt Healy, 10 AJ MacGinty, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 John Muldoon (capt.), 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Eoin McKeon, 5 Aly Muldowney, 4 Ultan Dillane, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Ronan Loughney

Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 JP Cooney, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Andrew Browne, 20 Sean O’Brien, 21 John Cooney, 22 Shane O’Leary, 23 Peter Robb

LEINSTER
15 Rob Kearney, 14 Dave Kearney, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Ben Te’o, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Johnny Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 8 Jamie Heaslip (capt.), 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Mick Kearney, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Richard Strauss, 1 Jack McGrath

Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Tadhg Furlong, 19 Hayden Triggs, 20 Jack Conan, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Zane Kirchner