Furlong returns for Leinster’s big win
AFTER LEINSTER ended the 2019 campaign with a one hundred per cent record, they continued their winning ways with a 54-7 victory over Connacht in their Guinness PRO14 league game played in the RDS on Saturday evening.
With Connacht unable to put a dent in their run, Leinster built on their previous derby victory over Munster, leaving them runaway leaders of their group, and now installed as favourites both for the European Cup and league.
Tadhg Furlong, who was among a number of first team players rested for the Munster victory, returned against Connacht where he put in a big 64-minute shift in preparation for their forthcoming European game.
Having put a back injury behind him, Furlong is now returned to full fitness, as both Leinster and Ireland face into a string of games with the Six Nations also just around the corner.
Leinster really had the points from this game guaranteed inside the opening 20 minutes such was their devastating play, with Furlong very prominent both in the tight and open play.
However, there was little for the Wexford pair, Robin Copeland and Paul Boyle, to take from this game, as they were in a Connacht pack that was totally overwhelmed by the powerful opposition eight.
Brian Deeny continues his progress with the Leinster Academy, figuring prominently with the province along with Noel McNamara’s Irish Under-20 squad as they continue their preparations for important games ahead. The former Wexford under-age footballer is also playing a key role with his club, Clontarf, in the AIL.
Meanwhile, former Wexford Vixens player Katie Fitzhenry, now playing her club rugby with Blackrock, is also included in the Ireland squad for the forthcoming Six Nations, having been part of the international sevens side as they continue their bid to qualify for the Olympics.
Enniscorthy return to action this Saturday following the break with a trip away to Bangor whom they comfortably saw off in their final pre-Christmas game, a victory that saw them extend their lead at the top of AIL Division 2C in their debut year at this level.
On the injury front they hope to have Ivan Jacob, who missed their last outing through injury, back to full fitness, but both David O’Dwyer and M.J. Doyle, who suffered serious injuries in that victory over Bangor, will be missing for a number of months.
The injuries are the only black mark on what has been an amazing run of form for the Enniscorthy side.