Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Jack’s in box seat in France
BOSS DAN HAILS ULSTER
JACK CARTY wrapped up a glorious week for Connacht and himself by snatching victory three minutes from time to book a Challenge Cup quarter-final spot away to Sale Sharks.
A third meeting with Steve Diamond’s men might not be the most appealing — each of them won the home clash when they met in the pool this season — but they looked like they were about to bow out when they trailed by eight points with nine minutes left at Stade Chaban Delmas.
“We certainly made it hard on ourselves,” said Connacht coach Andy Friend. “But I felt we would always do it, we had the composure and thankfully it came good when it mattered most.”
Hero of the win was Carty who crowned his first call-up to the Irish Six Nations squad by coming off the bench to score the match-winning try three minutes from time.
Bordeaux Begles had only pride to play for but they made it clear from the outset that they were up for a battle and led 20-19 at half-time.
Matt Healy, captain Quinn Roux and Tiernan O’Halloran crossed for those opening half tries for Connacht.
Bordeaux stormed into a 27-19 lead but Healy got his second try.
Carty, who had come on with another Ireland newcomer Caolin Blade, landed the conversion from the left before then breaking from 30 metres to score the match-winning try.