Rugby Union: SHANE THE PAIN FOR CONNACHT

SHANE HORGAN produced a moment of magic which swung this game in Leinster's favour and condemned Connacht to their eighth Celtic League loss on the trot.

Leinster were on the backfoot throughout the first-half when Horgan, took possession inside his own 22 and cut loose through the cover, only taking the foot off the gas on the other 22 to off-load to Robert Kearney, who put Jamie Heaslip in for the opening try.

That score broke Connacht's hearts and when Felipe Contepomi converted for a 13-9 Leinster lead at the break, Connacht had no way back.

Connacht might well have been out of sight in a valiant first- half display, but basic errors and indiscipline cost them.

The serious test provided by the Connacht pack in the opening half will do Leinster no harm ahead of their Heineken Cup date with Bourgoin next week.

Contepomi settled Leinster with a 12th minute penalty from the 22, but from there it was Connacht who drove forward with their scrum and maul working well.

They levelled the scores after 18 minutes when fly-half David Slemen landed an excellent drop goal from 30 metres, after they had taken the first of three Leinster lineouts in the opening half.

Slemen added further penalties after 25 and 28 minutes, but the try they craved would not come.

Contepomi reduced the margin on the stroke of half-time with another penalty to make it 9-6.

But it was Horgan's brilliance and Heaslip's finishing that really turned the screw.

Leinster, having got their noses in front, had a swagger about them after the restart and it was clear from the outset of the second-half that the wind had gone out of Connacht.

But he made it four kicks from four after 47 minutes with a 30 metre penalty from the right and they moved out of sight four minutes later.

Guy Easterby, Contepomi and Kearney created an opening down the right for full-back Girvan Dempsey to take the ball at speed and make it in at the right corner despite a brave effort by Conor McPhillips.

Contepomi hit the left post with the conversion.

Leinster coach Michael Cheika was pleased with the result, saying: "Not many teams come here and get a bonus.

"We were pleased with the win, but there is room for improvement and we will have to work on before the Bourgoin game."

CONNACHT: Pens: Slemen (2). DG: Slemen.

LEINSTER: Tries: Heaslip, Dempsey. Pens: Contepomi (3). Con: Contepomi.

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