The immediate reaction from the watching public to Connacht's one-point loss was another outpouring of 'poor Connacht'.
It was another case of sympathising with the younger brother of Irish rugby in a tough loss and it's a highly disrespectful approach to Pat Lam's charges.
Why is there no criticism of the inability to win a game that they lead by 16 points at one stage, or 13 points deep into the second half? Even when they re-took the lead with seven minutes to go they couldn't get over the line AND still had a chance to win it with a drop goal that no one took.
Unbelievable effort by Connacht just pipped 33-32 by Grenoble. Huge congrats to all involved
— Manus Lappin (@EmeraldRugby) April 9, 2016
What a game of rugby .. Not for the faint hearted! Sooo disappointed but really well played Connacht.. #connachtrugby #Connachtclan
— mervyn (@mervynculdaff) April 9, 2016
Struggling to think of an unluckier athlete/team in all sports than Connacht. So near yet so far so often.
— Brendan O'Brien (@byBrendanOBrien) April 9, 2016
@connachtrugby what a game, hold your heads high did Connacht and Ireland proud savage game
— mike o'donnell (@mikeodonnell86) April 9, 2016
@connachtrugby well done Connacht. Ye did the west proud! 😄
— Edel O Connor (@edel9) April 9, 2016
Yes, you can argue that losing in that manner with a late score by just a point is heartbreaking and cruel - and that Connacht played well enough to win. But Connacht have had enough moral victories.
They've improved too much from when being 'proud' in a loss matters. It's a sign of the progress under Lam in the last three years that while the team can be deflated - they don't want your sympathy.
They want to be analysed for what happened - and they blew it.
See Also: Watch: Connacht Scored Three Incredibly Sexy Tries In The Heartbreaking Loss To Grenoble
They should have won that game, and have no one but themselves to blame. Yes they were down to Robbie Henshaw at outhalf - but that doesn't mean someone couldn't have stepped up to take a drop goal. O'Driscoll was partial to a few three pointers in his day.
It should never have gotten to that point either. Connacht may be among the top try scorers in the Pro 12 - but their defense needs work. That was no more evident than yesterday, when they allowed Grenoble back into the game that they had no right to have an interest in.
Don't worry about poor Connacht. You won't be saying that when they beat Munster next weekend.
This is more like it:
I think media needs to be honest in the assessment of this team. Media attitudes toward Connacht very condescending. Real compliment is to -
— Seán Page (@spager45) April 9, 2016
Connacht should be kicking themselves for the soft @FCGrugby_en scores they let through. #Heartbreaking #ChallengeCup #CRLive
— Tommy English (@T0mmyEnglish) April 9, 2016
See Also: This Is Why There's Such A Clamour For Matt Healy's Inclusion In Joe Schmidt's Ireland Squad
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
