Connacht ended Neath's unbeaten Celtic League run with a disciplined and clinical performance at the Galway Sports Ground on Friday night.

Having defeated Munster the previous week, Neath went into action in buoyant mood as Connacht are regarded as the weakest Irish provincial side, despite an opening day victory over Cardiff at the Arms Park.

Eric Elwood was the crucial performer for Connacht, converting two of the three touchdowns and landing three vital penalties.

Neath took the lead after three minutes through a penalty by fly-half Lee Jarvis, but that soon counted for nothing as Connacht surged to the front two minutes later with a try by wing Wayne Munn.

Further tries followed from captain Mark McConnell and John O'Connor, while all the Welshmen could manage after the opening Jarvis penalty was a try by Shaun Connor, which Jarvis converted.

Connacht led 22-10 at half-time and were always in the driving seat, proving more creative among the three-quarters and the more powerful in the set-pieces.

Connacht: G Duffy; P Duignan, D Yapp, T Allnutt, W Munn; E Elwood, E Reddan; D McFarland, M Uijs, P Bracken, R Frost, M McConnell (capt), P Neville, D Dillon, J O'Connor.
Replacements: R McCormack, T Kearns, A Maher, J Charlie, M McHugh, C Keane, M McPhail.

Neath: S Connor; D Tiueti, A Bateman, J Storey, K James; L Jarvis, A Moore; D Jones, B Williams, A Howells, S Martin, G Llewellyn (capt), R Francis, S Tandy, A Mocelutu.
Replacements: P Horgan, C Joyner, M Price, P Jones, R Phillips, J Slade, A Millward.

Referee: Jim Yuille (SRFU).