The Galway native says confidence is soaring at The Sportsground after a positive start to the Guinness Pro12 and greater involvement in a winning Ireland squad
'Coming in on a Monday morning when you're winning is a great feeling,' Eoin McKeon proclaims to SportsJOE as he reflects on a league season that is currently promising to surpass anything Connacht has achieved so far.
Having endured an injury-hit 2013/14, McKeon has played in all 10 games so far this season and scored two tries. He has alternated between his preferred role at No.8 and openside flanker due to a shortage in the ranks (Jake Heenan is a long-term absentee).
'There are new patterns to learn when I shift around but I'm happy to be in the squad and happier to be starting. It only benefits you if you show you can play across the back row,' he tells us. With Rhys Ruddock earning two Irish starts in the Guinness Series as he was able to cover positions across the back row, McKeon can see the worth in versatility.
He adds, 'Jamie Heaslip is an out-and-out 8 and that is where I ultimately see myself playing but if you are looking to get into that Ireland squad and get some minutes, showing you can cover other positions is only going to help you.'
Five Connacht players were in the Irish squad in October and November and McKeon feels the province's impressive start to the season has played a big part. 'We've always felt that some of our players deserved to be in Irish squads but missed out as the team was not winning,' he reveals.
'Everyone starts to notice you when you start winning. No-one pays you much notice when you are sitting near the bottom of the table. It's not just the three provinces and us any more. Ireland is taking from the four provinces and the selections are paying off through great results.'
Whereas Connacht often invented new and galling ways to grasp defeat from the jaws of defeat, Pat Lam's team has won a number of close games this season. 'Look at last weekend,' says McKeon. 'We were down to a couple of scores early on but no-one was panicking beneath the posts. We were very calm and focused on the job. At half-time we spoke about doing our roles and the game would come to us.
'We ground out a victory. In the past we could have dropped our heads and let the game get away from us.' McKeon says the club may have initially targeted a top six finish but will re-assess after the festive block of games and, if results are still going their way, may aim for the top four.
In this weekend's Challenge Cup, the westerners entertain a Bayonne side that have new French attacking sensation Scott Spedding and former All Blacks try-gorger Joe Rokocoko on the wage bill. The Galwegian is not entirely sure if the Top 14 side will unload the big guns in his home-town but he is confident that another positive result awaits if his team, once again, know their roles and take their chances.'
*The Sportsground will become a Winter Wonderland for Connacht Rugby’s Challenge Cup clash with Bayonne this Saturday December 6th (kick off 5pm).
Connacht are encouraging supporters to bring the family early and enjoy festive carols from the Cavan RFC Men's Choir. Meet Santa Claus in his grotto and win spot prizes and merchandise give-aways throughout the night. Tickets for the match are
available online from tickets.ie, Centra and SuperValu stores province-wide and from the Connacht Rugby office at the Sportsground.
