1999–2000 Connacht Rugby season

1999–2000 Connacht Rugby season
Ground(s)The Sportsground, Galway
CoachGlen Ross
Top scorerEric Elwood (106)
Most triesMartyn Steffert (4)
League(s)Challenge Cup (3rd in pool)
IRFU Interprovincial Championship (4th)
← 1998–90 2000–01 →

The 1999–2000 season was Connacht's fifth season under professionalism, and their second under head coach Clive Ross. They competed in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, finishing fourth with no wins, and the European Challenge Cup, finishing third in their pool. Ross resigned at the end of the season.[1]

Player transfers

Squad

Connacht Rugby squad

Props

  • Martin Cahill
  • John Maher
  • Jimmy Screene

Hookers

Locks

Back row

  • Eoin Brennan
  • John Casserly
  • Junior Charlie
  • Ian Dillon
  • Barry Gavin
  • Shane McEntee
  • Ultan O'Callaghan
  • Martyn Steffert

Scrum-halves

Fly-halves

Centres

Wings

Fullbacks

  • Simon Allnutt
  • Conor Kilroy
(c) denotes the team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped players.
* denotes players qualified to play for Ireland on residency or dual nationality.

IRFU Interprovincial Championship

Main article: IRFU Interprovincial Championship
Team P W D L F A BP Pts Status
6 6 0 0 242 103 5 29 Champions; qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup
6 3 0 3 186 129 3 15 Qualified for next season's Heineken Cup
6 2 0 4 145 137 2 10 Qualified for 2000–01 Heineken Cup
6 0 0 6 85 289 1 1 Qualified 2000–01 European Challenge Cup
7 August 1999 Connacht 9-50 Ulster Galway Sportsgrounds  
Pen: Elwood (3)
 Report[4] Try: J. Topping
McWhirter
Cunningham
O'Cuinneagain
Howe
Clarke
Con: Mason (3)
Pen: Mason (3)
 Referee: M. White
Connacht lineup:

1. John Maher, 2. Joe McVeigh, 3. Jimmy Screene,
4. Gavin Webster, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. Martyn Steffert, 7. Barry Gavin, 8. Bernard Jackman,
9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Mel Deane, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Martin Cahill (for Screene 42'), Colm Rigney (for Webster 27-32, for Steffert 56'), Nigel Carolan (for Duignan 57'), Eoin Brennan (for McVeigh 67').

14 August 1999 Connacht 17–67 Munster Galway Sportsgrounds  
Try: Duignan
Murphy
Con: Elwood (2)
Pen: Elwood
 Report[5] Try: O'Gara
Crotty (3)
Kelly (2)
Lynch
Wallace
Corkery
Sheehan
Con: O'Gara (7)
Pen: O'Gara
Connacht lineup:

1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Shane McDonald, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Colm Rigney, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. John Casserly, 7. Barry Gavin, 8. Bernard Jackman,
9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Mel Deane, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Conor Kilroy (for Allnutt 29'), Nigel Carolan (for Kilroy 63'), John Maher (for Cahill 67'), Eoin Brennan (for Jackman 75').

3 September 1999 Leinster 22-19 Connacht Donnybrook Stadium  
Try: S. Byrne
O'Driscoll
Pen: Dempsey
Everitt (3)
 Report[6] Try: Deane
Con: Elwood
Pen: Elwood (4)
Connacht lineup:

1. John Maher, 2. Shane McDonald, 3. Martin Cahill,
5. Gavin Webster, 6. Mark McConnell,
6. Martyn Steffert, 7. Barry Gavin, 8. Eoin Brennan,
9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan. 12. Mel Deane, 13. Marvyn Murphy, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Stephen McIvor (for McGuinness 42'), Joe McVeigh (for McDonald 66'), Shane McEntee (for Brennan 80')

30 October 1999 Connacht 8-53 Leinster Musgrave Park  
Try: Deane
Pen: Elwood
 Report[7] Try: Costello (2)
McWeeney (2)
D'Arcy (2)
Hickie
Horgan
Farrell
Con: Everitt (2)
Farrell
Connacht lineup:

1. John Maher, 2. Shane McDonald, 3. Martin Cahill,
5. Gavin Webster, 6. Mark McConnell,
6. Colm Rigney, 7. Eoin Brennan, 8. Martyn Steffert,
9. Stephen McIvor, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan. 12. Mel Deane, 13. Marvyn Murphy, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Barry Gavin (for Brennan 15'), Bernard Jackman (for Steffert 51'), Jimmy Screene (for Cahill 51'), Nigel Carolan (for Mostyn 55').

5 November 1999 Ulster 44-22 Connacht Ravenhill  
Try: Bromley (2)
Blair
McWhirter
Cunningham
Ward
Con: Mason (4)
Pen: Mason (2)
 Report[8][9] Try: Steffert
Mostyn
Penalty try
Con: Elwood (2)
Pen: Elwood
Connacht lineup:

1. John Maher, 2. Shane McDonald, 3. Martin Cahill,
5. Gavin Webster, 6. Mark McConnell,
6. Colm Rigney, 7. Eoin Brennan, 8. Martyn Steffert,
9. Stephen McIvor, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mel Deane, 13. Matt Mostyn, 14. Pat Duignan,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Barry Gavin (for Rigney 54'), David Mescal (for McIvor 79').

12 November 1999 Munster 53–10 Connacht Thomond Park  
Try: Mullins
Horan
Horgan
Foley
Staunton (2)
Kelly
Con: Keane (6)
Pen: Keane (2)
 Report[10] Try: Allnutt
Con: Elwood
Pen: Elwood
Connacht lineup:

1. John Maher, 2. Shane McDonald, 3. Martin Cahill,
5. Gavin Webster, 6. Mark McConnell,
6. Barry Gavin, 7. Eoin Brennan, 8. Martyn Steffert,
9. David Mescal, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mel Deane, 13. Matt Mostyn, 14. Pat Duignan,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Bernard Jackman (for Brennan 53'), Conor Kilroy (for Deane 68').

European Challenge Cup

Main article: 1999–2000 European Challenge Cup

Pool 4

Team P W D L Tries for Tries against Try diff Points for Points against Points diff Pts
Ebbw Vale 6 6 0 0 31 13 18 252 127 125 12
Toulon 6 3 0 3 17 8 9 178 148 30 6
Connacht 6 2 0 4 15 18 −3 131 165 −34 4
Steaua București 6 1 0 5 13 37 −24 120 241 −121 2
19 November 1999 Ebbw Vale 32 – 9 Connacht Eugene Cross Park  
19:30 Try: Easterby
Williams
Con: Connor (2)
Pen: Connor (6)
 Report[11] Pen: Elwood (3)
 Attendance: 2,500
Connacht lineup:

1. John Maher, 2. Shane McDonald, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Gavin Webster, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. Junior Charlie, 7. Barry Gavin, 8. Ian Dillon,
9. David Mescal, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mel Deane, 13. Matt Mostyn, 14. Pat Duignan,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Mervyn Murphy, James Ferris, Bernard Jackman, Ultan O'Callaghan.

27 November 1999 Steaua Bucharest 30 – 20 Connacht Club of Army  
14:30 Try: Mocanu
Boldor
Balmos
Con: Popisteanu (3)
Pen: Popisteanu
Drop: Popisteanu (2)
 Report[12] Try: Jackman
O'Callaghan
Elwood
Con: Elwood
Pen: Elwood
 Attendance: 1,500
Connacht lineup:

1. John Maher, 2. Bernard Jackman, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Mark McConnell, 5. Gavin Webster,
6. Barry Gavin, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Ultan O'Callaghan,
9. James Ferris, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mel Deane, 13. Matt Mostyn, 14. Pat Duignan,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Conor Kilroy, Eoin Brennan.

11 December 1999 Connacht 27 – 13 Toulon Sportsground  
14:30 Try: O'Callaghan
Screene
Con: Elwood
Pen: Elwood (5)
 Report[13] Try: Mignoni
Con: Burton
Pen: Burton (2)
 Attendance: 1,000
Connacht lineup:

1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Bernard Jackman, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Gavin Webster, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. Junior Charlie, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Ultan O'Callaghan,
9. Stephen McIvor, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Mel Deane, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: John Maher, Colm Rigney.

18 December 1999 Toulon 41 – 15 Connacht Stade Félix Mayol  
20:00 Try: Mignoni
Delmotte
Salacroux
Macurdy
Con: Burton (3)
Pen: Burton (5)
 Report[14] Pen: Elwood (5)
 Attendance: 1,500
Connacht lineup:

1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Bernard Jackman, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Gavin Webster, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. Ultan O'Callaghan, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Martyn Steffert,
9. Stephen McIvor, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Mel Deane, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Conor Kilroy, John Maher, Colm Rigney, Eoin Brennan.

8 January 2000 Connacht 41 – 7 Steaua Bucharest Sportsground  
14:30 Try: McConnell
Duignan
Allnutt
Steffert (3)
Mostyn
Screene
Con: Elwood (3)
 Report[15] Try: Boldor
Con: Popisteanu
 Attendance: 1,000
Connacht lineup:

1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Bernard Jackman, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Gavin Webster, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. Barry Gavin, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Martyn Steffert,
9. Stephen McIvor, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Mel Deane, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: John Maher.

15 January 2000 Connacht 19 – 42 Ebbw Vale Sportsground  
14:30 Try: Mostyn
Deane
Kilroy
Con: Elwood (2)
 Report[16] Try: Wagstaff
Easterby
Shorney
Green
Banks
Con: Connor (4)
Pen: Connor (3)
 Attendance: 1,500
Connacht lineup:

1. Jimmy Screene, 2. Bernard Jackman, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Colm Rigney, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. Barry Gavin, 7. Ian Dillon, 8. Martyn Steffert,
9. Stephen McIvor, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Pat Duignan, 12. Mervyn Murphy, 13. Mel Deane, 14. Matt Mostyn,
15. Simon Allnutt.
Replacements: Conor Kilroy.

Representative

21 August 1999 Connacht 26-43 Ireland Select XV Sportsground  
Try: Quinlan (2)
Deane
Con: Elwood
Pen: Elwood (3)
 Report[17] Try: Maggs
Miller
Topping
O'Meara
Mullins
Con: Humphreys (4)
Pen: Humphreys
Connacht lineup:

1.John Maher, 2. Shane McDonald, 3. Martin Cahill,
4. Colm Rogney, 5. Mark McConnell,
6. Alan Quinlan, 7. Barry Gavin, 8. David Wallace,
9. Conor McGuinness, 10. Eric Elwood,
11. Nigel Carolan, 12. Mel Deane, 13. Mervyn Murphy, 14. Pat Duignan,
15. Simon Allnut.
Replacements: A. Kearney (for Rigney 58'), Stephen McIvor (for McGuinness 62'), Eoin Brennan (for Wallace 63'), D. Brady (for Deane 75').

Ireland Select XV lineup:

1. Justin Fitzpatrick, 2. R. Nesdale, 3. Angus McKeen,
4. Jeremy Davidson, 5. Malcolm O'Kelly,
6. Trevor Brennan, 7. Dion O'Cuinneagain, 8. Andy Ward,
9. Brian O'Meara, 10. David Humphreys,
11. Matt Mostyn, 12. Kevin Maggs, 13. Brian O'Driscoll, 14. James Topping,
15 Conor O'Shea.
Replacements: Paddy Johns (for O'Kelly 51'), Paul Wallace (for McKeen 51'), Eric Miller (for Brennan 51'), Ronan O'Gara (for Humphreys 73'), Mike Mullins (for Maggs 73').

References

  1. ^ "Ross resigns as Connacht coach", Connacht Tribune, 31 March 2000
  2. ^ "Major coup for Buccs", Roscommon Champion, 9 JUly 1999
  3. ^ Gerry Thornley, "Ulster bid to continue their roll by recruiting heavily", The Irish Times, 31 July 1999
  4. ^ "Ulster go wild out west", Sunday Life, 8 August 1999
  5. ^ "Connacht 17-67 Munster". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  6. ^ "Cup woe strikes Dempsey", Irish Independent, 4 September 1999
  7. ^ "Leinster chalk up record in Galway", Sunday Life, 31 October 1999
  8. ^ Jim Stokes, "Bromley powers Ulster to victory", Belfast Telegraph, 6 November 1999
  9. ^ "Ulster earn Euro Place", Irish Independent, 6 November 1999
  10. ^ "Munster 53-10 Connacht". Munster Rugby. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  11. ^ "Ebbw Vale storm back to overwhelm Connacht", Irish Examiner, 20 November 1999
  12. ^ Linley McKenzie, "Squandermania", Sunday Independent, 28 November 1999
  13. ^ "Elwood kick starts Connacht", Sunday Life, 12 December 1999
  14. ^ "Toulon 41 Connacht 15", Sunday Independent, 19 December 1999
  15. ^ Kieran Rooney, "Connacht redeem some pride with another home Shield victory", Sunday Independent, 9 January 2000
  16. ^ "Connacht suffer final agony", Sunday Independent, 16 January 2000
  17. ^ Barry Coghlan, "Rusty Ireland get wake-up call", Irish Examiner, 23 August 1999
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