Connacht (13) 16
Try: Carr Pens: Keatley 3
Con: Keatley
Dragons (3) 3
Pens: Tovey

Fionn Carr attempts a break despite Mathew Watkins' best efforts

Connacht's Ian Keatley won the fly-half battle as the Magners League's basement side picked up a much-needed win over the Dragons in Galway.

Keatley kicked three penalties and converted Fionn Carr's first-half try to dent the Dragons' hopes of reaching the play-offs.

The under-strength Dragons were restricted to a first-half penalty from Jason Tovey.

Connacht remain unbeaten at home since last September.

Paul Turner's charges were missing internationals Luke Charteris and Danny Lydiate and the injured trio of Adam Jones, Lewis Evans and James Harris.

Connacht dominated the majority of the contest and Keatley effectively used the platform laid by his pack.

Lock Mike McCarthy was highly effective in the line-out with a couple of early steals helping to set up penalties for Keatley.

606: DEBATE Connacht are no longer the whipping boys and if they can add greater depth to their squad, they will be a match for anyone Dr_Regions

Michael Bradley's men moved 13-0 ahead at the mid point of the half, after Carr finished off a terrific breakaway move.

Scrum-half Conor O'Loughlin used turnover ball to make a break and kicked through for Liam Bibo to chase and the winger's lofted pass set up Carr to notch the touchdown.

Keatley added the extras to Carr's 12th try in 16 outings this season.

The Dragons, seeking to spoil the St Patrick's Day celebrations, showed signs of life with some strong running from centre Matthews Watkins, but their wide men were kept out of the game as Connacht kept play tight.

Tovey landed a penalty to cut the gap to 13-3 at half-time, after Tom Willis and his Dragons forwards were stopped five metres out.

Another Keatley penalty extended Connacht's lead and the Dragons were unable to respond despite some late pressure as they suffered their first defeat in five matches.

Connacht: Duffy, Bibo, Ta'auso, Matthews, Carr, Keatley, O'Loughlin, Wilkinson, Flavin, Hagan, Swift, McCarthy, Muldoon, Ofisa, Naoupu. Replacements: Wynne for Ta'auso (62), Nikora for Keatley (75), Campbell for O'Loughlin (64), Loughney for Wilkinson (77), Morris for Hagan (60), Upton for Swift (74), McComish for Ofisa (67).

Dragons: M Thomas, Harries, Watkins, Smith, Brew, Tovey, W Evans, Gustafson, Willis, Castle, Sidoli, MacDonald, Falatau, G Thomas, Webb. Replacements: Riley for Smith (37), Leadbeater for W Evans (74), Palmer for Castle (47), Brown for Webb (47).
Not Used: S Jones, Coombs, Arlidge.

Att: 2,000

Referee: Andy Macpherson (SRU)

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