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"Disappointed men and some tears" was the natural response in the immediate aftermath of Connacht's 21-13 loss to Ulster in this season's Guinness PRO14 quarter-final, but the club can reflect on more positives, none more so than achieving its primary aim of qualifying for Champions Cup rugby for only the second time on merit.

Unashamedly and deservedly, the ‘Fields of Athenry’ was ringing loud and clear in Kingspan Stadium seven months ago. The hurt and frustration of failing to record a single win against Ulster in Belfast in 59 years ended - a ghost laid to rest at last.

Connacht have a super opportunity to round off a successful festive inter-provincial period and leapfrog their visitors Munster in the PRO14 when the two meet at the Galway Sportsground on Saturday (7.35pm).

Connacht must turn their positivity into points on Saturday when French side Bordeaux-Begles visit the Sportsground for this year's opening European fixture.

Historical baggage can be incentive or curse, or as Connacht coach Andy Friend now believes, it should be ignored.

Historical baggage can be incentive or curse, or as Connacht coach Andy Friend now believes, it should be ignored.

Long-serving Connacht player Ronan Loughney is relishing taking part in not one, but two, of the most important occasions in his life in the next three weeks.

It is now down to the top two teams, Connacht and Glasgow, to fight it out in this final round for a prized home semi-final in the Guinness Pro 12 League.

Connacht Rugby heads to the home of the current Pro 12 champions Glasgow tomorrow expecting to find a dangerous wounded animal.

By Linley MacKenzie